NAME:MARK ANGELO SISTOSO

In San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, the issue of abortion is a contentious one. Despite the fact that unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the country (World Health Organization), it remains illegal and highly stigmatized. This petition calls for a change in this legislation to protect women's rights to their bodies and their health.

By criminalizing abortion, we are not preventing it but rather forcing women into dangerous situations where they risk their lives. The Guttmacher Institute reports that there were approximately 610,000 induced abortions in the Philippines in 2012 alone - all performed under unsafe conditions due to lack of legal protection.

We demand that our local government recognize this as an urgent public health issue and take immediate steps towards decriminalizing abortion. It is time we prioritize women's safety over outdated laws. Sign this petition if you believe in protecting women's rights to safe and legal abortion.