[APWSLMembers 408] A DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE FILIPINO WORKERS (A CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST TRADE UNION REPRESSION AND POLITICAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES ON NOVEMBER 16, 2006)

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

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A DAY OF SOLIDARITY
WITH THE FILIPINO WORKERS
(A CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
AGAINST TRADE UNION REPRESSION AND POLITICAL KILLINGS
IN THE PHILIPPINES ON NOVEMBER 16, 2006)

Background

Trade union and human rights violations have 
exacerbated in the Philippines under the 
government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Since assuming power on Jan. 20, 2001 until June 
30, 2006, 64 leaders, members, organizers and 
supporters of trade unions and informal workers 
organizations have been killed.  They are but 
part of the more than 750 victims of political 
killings under the Arroyo regime as of September 30, 2006.

More than 982 cases of trade union and human 
rights violations victimizing 77,028 workers were 
recorded by the independent Center for Trade 
Union and Human Rights (CTUHR).  Aside from 
killings, other violations include assault in the 
picketline, illegal arrest and detention, grave 
threat, intimidation, abduction and harassment.

The manner of the killings is utterly 
despicable.  Some were killed in broad daylight, 
in front of their families, were stabbed to 
death, assassinated or massacred.  Majority of 
the killings were carried-out by 
motorcycle-riding gunmen in ski masks or helmets 
– an apparent deliberate design to make them 
practically impossible to identify.  Independent 
investigations revealed that most of the cases 
were premeditated, i.e. victims were under 
surveillance by suspected elements of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or Philippine 
National Police (PNP) before their deaths.

Among those killed were union leaders in 
multinational corporations and local big business 
establishments whose interests the Arroyo 
government protects.  Notable of them are 
Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna, union president in 
Nestle Cabuyao Philippines and Ricardo “Ka Ric” 
Ramos, union president of the Central Azucarera 
de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU).  The Nestle 
workers under the United Filipro Employees-Drug 
Food and Allied Industries-Kilusang Mayo Uno 
(UFE-DFA-KMU) has been on strike since January 
14, 2002 due to Nestle’s refusal to include the 
workers retirement benefits in the collective 
bargaining negotiation.  Meanwhile, CATLU is one 
of the two unions in Hacienda Luisita Inc. that 
went on strike for more than a year from Nov 
2004-Dec 2005.  The Hacienda is owned by the 
family of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.

Factory Terrorism

Alongside its neo-liberal policies of 
deregulation, liberalization and privatisation, 
the Arroyo government is trying to project an 
environment of industrial peace in order to 
entice more foreign investments and gain 
continued access to more foreign credit.  This is 
aimed at trumpeting a “growing” and “stable” 
economy amidst a worsening economic and political situation in the country.

In a speech before newly-elected barangay 
officials in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Southern Tagalog 
on September 22, 2002, Pres. Arroyo said: “Let us 
fight against criminals, gambling lords, drug 
lords
 and those who terrorize factories that 
create jobs.”  It is an obvious reference to 
trade unions and a vulgar attempt to 
de-legitimize workers’ strikes and other forms of concerted actions.

The Arroyo government has thus included 
legitimate trade unions and informal workers 
associations in its war on terror campaign, 
branding them as communists, 
communist-supporters, terrorists or “enemies of the state”.

Strikes and other concerted activities of 
workers, aimed at airing legitimate workers 
demands and grievances, are being regarded as 
factory terrorism and are met with violent 
attacks and repression.  Those in opposition to 
the government’s neo-liberal policies are being 
arrested and/or detained.  Most prominent is KMU 
Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin “Ka 
Bel” Beltran who was arrested on Feb. 25, 2006, a 
day after Pres. Arroyo declared a state of 
emergency.  Ka Bel was arrested without warrant 
on the basis of trumped-up charges dating back 
two decades ago and already been quashed by the 
Philippine courts.  Later, the government thru 
the Department of Justice implicated Ka Bel in 
failed attempts to overthrow the Arroyo 
government.  He continues to be in hospital 
detention at the moment, owing to his failing health.

These widespread trade union violations are 
committed directly and indirectly by government 
agencies, instrumentalities, and officers in the 
current civilian government and/or in the military including their agents.

International Day of Action

The rampant trade union and human rights 
violation in the country has caught international 
attention.  Thirty international delegates from 
12 countries participated in the International 
Labor Solidarity Mission last May 2006 and spent 
four days listening to the testimonies of 
families, members of the communities and 
organizations of victims of political killings 
and harassment in four regions.  The mission 
noted that the violation of labor rights and 
human rights in the Philippines is systematic and 
nationwide in scope, and concluded that the 
Arroyo regime is clearly culpable both by its 
pronouncements, actions and by creating a climate of impunity.

The International Confederation of Free Trade 
Unions, Amnesty International, Asia Human Rights 
Center, and a number of trade unions, 
church-based organizations and parliamentarians 
from Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe have 
likewise expressed grave concern and condemnation 
on the spate of extra-judicial killings 
victimizing workers, peasants and other sectors.

At the 22nd KMU International Solidarity Affairs 
held last Apr 30-May 11 of this year, delegates 
coming from 13 countries have called for an 
International Day of Protest against Trade Union 
Repression and Political Killings in the 
Philippines.  This is to condemn the wanton 
violation of trade union and human rights and to 
show solidarity to the struggle of the Filipino 
workers and people for genuine freedom and democracy.

Nov. 16 was chosen for the Day of Action because 
of its highly significant nature.  It was on Nov. 
16, 2004 when the infamous Hacienda Luisita 
Massacre occurred, where seven (7) workers and 
supporters were killed following a violent 
dispersal of the Hacienda Luisita strike by 
police, military and paid goons under the direct 
orders of the Arroyo government thru the Department of Labor and Employment.

Thus, the International Day of Protest against 
Trade Union Repression and Political Killings in 
the Philippines this coming Nov. 16, 2006 would 
serve as a recognition and commemoration of the 
martyr-workers not only of Hacienda Luisita but 
of the martyr-workers in all the other workplaces 
and communities in the country.  More so, this 
day would serve as a testament to the continuing 
pursuit of the Filipino workers and people for 
economic and political emancipation.

We call on you – our comrades, friends, 
compatriots and advocates – in the trade unions, 
informal workers organizations, migrant 
organizations, support groups and other 
associations in various sectors to participate in 
this International Day of Action on Nov 16, 2006.

Please join us on this historic day. Together, 
let us call on the Arroyo government to recognize 
and respect the most fundamental right of the 
Filipino workers to live and to live with 
dignity, to organize and fight for just wages, 
regular jobs and to exercise their trade union 
and democratic rights.  Let us condemn the 
systematic and widespread human rights violations 
that destroy the life and livelihood of the 
Filipino workers and people.  Let us call a stop 
to the extra-judicial killings in the Philippines 
victimizing workers, peasants and other social 
justice activists.  Let us demand the Arroyo 
government to stop the culture of impunity, which 
drives authorities and its armed minions to kill people like chicken.

Together, let us reclaim our right to life.

What you can do on November 16, 2006:

a)     Hold a protest action in front of 
Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your 
respective area or in any area which you deem 
possible.  A dialogue with the Philippine 
Ambassador in your country would be a plus factor 
where you can directly bring your concern 
regarding the widespread trade union and human 
rights violation in the Philippines.
b)     Send solidarity message to the Kilusang Mayo Uno.
c)      Send protest letter to the Arroyo 
government and concerned agencies.  You can address your letter to:

H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: <mailto:corres at op.gov.ph>corres at op.gov.ph 
/ <mailto:opnet at ops.gov.ph>opnet at ops.gov.ph

Hon. Chairperson Dr. Purificacion Quisumbing
The Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Building, Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City
Fax: +632 929-0102, Email: drpvq at chr.gov.ph

Hon. Sec. Avelino Cruz
Department of National Defense
Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA, 1110 Quezon City
Email: snd at dnd.gov.ph
Fax: (+632) 911 6213

Sen. Manny Villar
Senate President
Rm. 602 GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 80 loc. 6507 - 09 / 6511
Direct Line: (632) 552-6715
Fax No.: (632) 552-6734
Email:            <mailto:mb_villar at yahoo.com>mb_villar at yahoo.com
Website: <http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph>www.mannyvillar.com.ph

Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr.
Speaker of the House
Rm. MB-2, House of Representatives, Quezon City
Phone: 931-5001 local 7446, 9315071 to 9315073

Hon. Arturo Brion
Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
7th Floor, DOLE Building
Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila, PHILIPPINES
Phone:  (632) 527-300 loc. 701-704, 706-707
Fax:  (632) 527-2121; (632) 527-2131; (632) 527-5523
Email:  <mailto:osec at dole.gov.ph>osec at dole.gov.ph

Please cc the KMU of your letters.

d)     Ask your government to withdraw support 
and stop giving financial aid to the Arroyo 
government because these aids are being used to 
attack the Filipino workers and people under the guise of anti-terrorism.



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