[APWSLMembers 211] 3 news releases from KMU

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

KMU NEWS RELEASES

March 18, 2006

Local union in Robina Farms Bulacan, Palparan's new target
KMU calls for continued struggle amidst political repression

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today expresses 
support for the Bulacan provincial board resolution signed by Gov. 
Josefina de la Cruz calling for the pullout of M/Sgt. Rollie Castillo 
from the 24th Infantry Battalion because of accusations of human 
rights violations.

According to Elmer Labog, National Chairman of KMU, " The resolution 
is a breakthrough for the fight against worsening militarization in 
Bulacan. But the KMU and our local unions in Bulacan call not only 
for the reassignment of Castillo on other areas but also that the 
latter and the mastermind-butcher Gen. Jovito Palparan be fully 
investigated and be held liable for their crimes."

Labog said that M/Sgt. Castillo was also one of the military men 
named by workers of Robina Farms, a piggery and poultry in Brgy. 
Calumpang in San Miguel Bulacan.

According to reports from members of the Board of Directors of 
Kilusang Unyon sa Robina Farms, a union under Alliance of Nationalist 
and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO) which is affiliated to KMU, 
members and union leaders were being harassed by military men into 
disaffiliating from KMU.

Union president Unio Quantero express apprehension, "Nag-aaalala kami 
na ang mga manggagawa ay matatakot lalo't parating na ang aming 
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) sa susunod na taon. Miniting 
kami ng mga militar noong ika-16 ngayong buwan at gusto kaming gawing 
independiyenteng unyon, makipagkaisa sa manedsment at kumalas sa 
KMU."  (We are worried that the workers will be scared especially 
since our Collective Bargaining Agreement will end next year.  The 
military called us in a meeting last March 16 and they want us to be 
an independent union, kowtow with the management and disaffiliate from KMU.)

Quantero related that the military men who talked to them include 
Major Clemen of 56th IB, Col. Ramos, Sgt. Hidalgo ng 24th IB and 
M/Sgt. Castillo.

Labog meanwhile is weary for the life of the local union leaders. He 
further went on that the harassment in Robina Farms is only part of 
the all-out war and witch-hunting of the administration of President 
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Just last March 6, Rogelio Concepcion, a 
union official of Solid Development Corp. Workers Association (SDCWA) 
in Brgy. Mataas na Parang, San Ildefonso Bulacan, also went missing.

"Gen. Palparan is also our prime suspect in the assassination of 
Tirso Cruz, board director of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) in 
Hacienda Luisita," Labog said.

The labor leader also urges the local government, church people and 
other local organizations in Bulacan and Central Luzon not to be 
threatened and continue the condemnations against the continuing 
killings of workers, union leaders and members of progressive organizations.

"This government is so desperate that it attacks the workers on all 
fronts from the Congress to legal mass organizations, from our KMU 
Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran to organizers 
and unionists in the factories," ended Labog. ###



Mach 17, 2006



Brutal murder of ULWU board director condemned
GMA: WANTED FOR CONTINUING CRIMES AGAINST DEMOCRACY AND THE FILIPINO 
PEOPLE -- KMU

Workers flood the streets of Manila today under the banner of 
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) to defend civil liberties and call for the 
immediate release of KMU Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin 
"Ka Bel" Beltran.

According to Elmer "Ka Bong" Labog, National President of KMU, the 
massive protests of the workers and other organizations under Bagong 
Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) only shows that the people will not fear 
the fascist policies of the Arroyo government.

"Each day we see how the Arroyo government acts in desperation. Just 
yesterday, posters of people on its wanted list were released which 
include former Senator Gringo Honasan and others without proving the 
crimes first. We will not be surprised if the AFP will also include 
in their wanted posters people from progressive and left-leaning 
groups. They will not deceive the people. The people know who the 
friends and foes are," stresses Labog.

Labog also condemns what he calls a double standard showed by PNP and 
the whole Arroyo government, "It is apparent that COMELEC 
Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, DA Undersecretary Jocjoc Bolante 
and others have committed grave crimes against the people but the 
government did not release similar wanted posters so that they will 
be hunted easily and be held liable to their crimes."

"The Arroyo government is a coddler and protector of criminals 
against the people. But if one will fight for the interests of the 
majority of the people, you will be tagged as an enemy of the state 
and you will be imprisoned without warrant of arrest, you will be 
abducted or even killed. This is the kind of justice that this 
government knows, "said the labor leader.

Meanwhile, KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat announce that they will 
today release in their rally at Plaza Miranda a wanted cardboard 
poster of Gloria because of her continuing crime against democracy 
and the Filipino people.

"Gloria is the most wanted criminal for the Filipino people because 
she is our No.1 Enemy who commits genocide through inhumane wages, 
violates our democratic rights, and kills our loved ones. Evidence to 
this is that 65% of the Filipinos want Gloria out of Malacanang," said Suyat.

Suyat expresses condemnation against the killing of Tirso Cruz, board 
director of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU). Cruz was killed with 
gunshots by suspected military assailants at 12:30 am today in Pando, 
Concepcion, Tarklac. Cruz just came from a pabasa when he was felled 
with bullets on his way home by assailants riding a motorcycle.

"The death of Kasamang (Comrade) Tirso only shows the truth that 
those who fight for decent wages, decent jobs and democratic rights 
of the people are killed like animals by this government. The silence 
of Mrs. Arroyo on these killings only shows her condoning of these 
acts. We appeal for justice to Kasamang Tirso and his family and the 
many others that were felled by this regime, " Suyat said.###


NEWS RELEASE
March 16, 2006

Ka Bel's illegal detention delays deliberation of wage hike bill and 
labor-related bills in Congress - KMU

Congressional Committee on Labor and Employment Chair Rep. Roseller 
Barinaga admitted his committee is having a hard time deliberating 
labor-related bills due to the continued detention of Anakpawis Rep. 
Crispin Beltran.

The solon said the COCLE is set to discuss the amendments to House 
Bill 345 or the P125 wage hike bill next week and they need Ka Bel to 
impart his important ideas and suggestions for the benefit of 
workers. He also reiterated demands for Ka Bel's immediate release or 
transfer from Camp Crame during the Labor Parliamentarians Media 
Forum held at the Mitra Hall in the House of Representatives this morning.

The activity spearheaded by Free Ka Bel Movement and Anakpawis Party 
List, gathered various national labor centers including Kilusang Mayo 
Uno, Partido ng Manggagawa, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Labor 
Alliance for Better Order and Reforms and other labor federations and 
trade unions.

"Ka Bel's valuable contribution to the advancement of workers' 
interests is highly-respected and recognized by his colleagues in 
Congress as well as all labor centers and workers nationwide. With Ka 
Bel's enduring illegal detention, the Arroyo government consciously 
delays government projects and bills for workers and the people. 
Labor groups are now in further unity to demand Ka Bel's urgent and 
unconditional release," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

Labog stressed that the unity forged by all labor centers will 
translate to more mass actions inside and outside factories, 
workplaces and industrial zones. "Labor groups are united to press 
the P125 wage hike bill and seek justice for Ka Bel and all workers. 
We will not falter in defending our hard-earned economic and 
democratic rights in all ways possible.

Tomorrow, workers will march from Plaza Miranda to Mendiola to bring 
forth their demands to Malacanang. "We will declare Mrs. Arroyo as 
"Workers enemy No. 1" and will further call for her ouster," Labog 
concluded. ###