FLAG: Family of arrested community doctor granted access, but details on case still unclearMANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:25 p.m.) — Two sisters of arrested community doctor Maria Natividad Castro were able to spend time with her in Agusan del Sur yesterday, though no documents relevant to the arrest have yet been issued by local police, the Free Legal Assistance Group said Sunday. "As the records of the case are still not available to FLAG because the courts are closed until Monday, FLAG and Doc Naty are still unaware of the exact circumstances of the case that has allegedly been filed against her and the reason for her arrest," FLAG said. To recall, Castro was taken from her home in San Juan on Friday, denied access to her family or counsel, and transported without notifying her family or counsel. A separate statement from the UP Manila community, this time from its Department of Family and Community Medicine, also condemned what it said was the "wrongful and baseless" arrest of Castro. "Dr. Castro did nothing but live up to the ideals of a doctor that the country invested in.

Source: Philippine Star February 20, 2022 01:40 UTC