PMA raises issue of safety in wake of CDO bombing

The Philippine Medical Association  (PMA) condemns the bombing last July 26 of a popular restaurant in Cagayan de Oro, where six people, including a medical doctor, died and dozens of others were injured.

We condemn to the highest degree this dastardly act of violence against our people. A colleague, Dr. Erwin Malinay from Metro Manila, was instantly killed and many allied health workers were seriously injured in the blast. Over a thousand doctors from all over the country, who are members of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians and the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, both specialty societies of the PMA, were in Cagayan de Oro City to attend their respective conventions. Members of the Philippine Dental Association, our allied health professionals, were also holding an activity there in the same city.

We are urgently calling the attention of our friend, Interior Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II, to decisively act on this treacherous incident.

We are appealing to our beloved President Aquino to immediately take proactive steps to prevent this kind of situation from ever happening again. Our colleagues from the World Medical Association are asking us if it is still safe to send their members to the Philippines.

—DR. LEO OLARTE,

president, Philippine Medical Association