Lawmaker pleads for release of detainee with newborn baby

MANILA, Philippines - Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan has pleaded for the release on humanitarian grounds of a detained health worker who has given birth to a baby boy.

In a privilege speech, she said Judilyn Oliveros was among the community health workers arrested and detained by the military in Rizal last Feb. 6.

“She was three months’ pregnant at the time of the arrest. She went through the most horrible experiences a pregnant woman could ever have. She was one of those blindfolded and handcuffed for 36 hours, subjected to multiple and prolonged tactical interrogation with death threats, harassment and intimidation,” she said.

“She was among those manhandled and beaten up, denied legal counsel for days, deprived of sleep, denied medical treatment, and subjected to various indignities during captivity,” she added.

Ilagan told her colleagues that on July 22, Oliveros gave birth to a boy by caesarian section at the Philippine General Hospital.

“The baby was immediately roomed in with his mother in order to initiate full breastfeeding,” she said.

However, she said Oliveros has been informed that she would be returned to her detention cell after the hospital discharges her.

“She is now confronted with the unfortunate and heartbreaking dilemma of leaving her two-week-old child in the care of other people or bringing him with her to the distressing confines of a prison cell,” she said.

“Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I am concerned for the mother and even more for the baby, for I know that stress experienced by a woman during pregnancy affects the unborn and then after birth, the full benefits of bonding and breastfeeding an infant are dependent on the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of both mother and child. It is without doubt that since Feb. 6 until now, the possibility of a stress-free environment is certainly non-existent,” she said.

Ilagan said Oliveros, being a first-time mother, wants to breastfeed her baby to ensure his normal growth and full development.

Ilagan delivered her privilege speech on Wednesday night at a time when the country and 119 other nations around the globe were in the midst of celebrating World Breastfeeding Week.

She said the pediatrician of Oliveros’ baby has certified that “to ensure milk production by the mother, the baby has to be constantly fed from her breast. It is also important that the mother is stress-free and housed in a comfortable place.”

She said Bishop Reuel Marigsa, general secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, has expressed willingness to take Oliveros under recognizance and under the care of his office.

She also called for the release of all the other detained health workers.

She said a pregnant detainee, Mercy Castro, is scheduled to give birth in October, while another detainee, Jane Crispin Beltran Balleta, granddaughter of the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, is suffering from epilepsy and needs treatment.