[APWSLMembers 506] "We will resist government's declaration of 'open season' vs. progressive partylists and supporters" ­ KMU

[KMU International Department]

KILUSANG MAYO UNO
(May First Labor Center)
TAGAPAMANDILA NG TUNAY NA UNYONISMO
No. 63 Narra St. Bgy. Claro, Proj. 3 Quezon City  Telefax 421-0768; Ph: 
421-0986
Email:  kilusangmayouno at gmail.com www.kilusangmayouno.org


NEWS RELEASE
March 10, 2007


Crackdown against activists will only highlight Arroyo's grave
violation of human rights
"We will resist government's declaration of 'open season' vs.
progressive partylists and supporters" ­ KMU


Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said they have laid plans
on how to counter the ongoing government-initiated crackdown against
progressive party lists and supporters. "After the release of the
arrest order against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and 59 other
individuals, we felt heightened surveillance on our national office
located at Project 3, Quezon City. It's like the government 'open
season' vs. progressives and government critics," said Lito Ustarez,
KMU's Executive Vice President and Anakpawis Partylist Vice 
President
for Luzon.


"We will not be surprised if we discover that the KMU National office
is under surveillance 24/7. Yesterday at around 11am, a suspicious
looking man boarding a white Tamaraw FX parked right outside our
office and took pictures of our office building facade and entrance.
We also noticed several strangers roaming outside our office and
standing at nearby stores and jeepney terminals. We are not new to
these kinds of harassment initiated by government agents. We are 
ready
and alert all the time. In fact, we already outlined counter
monitoring plans."


He said that court messengers also attempted to deliver summon 
papers
for KMU Vice President for External Affairs Rafael Baylosis, also an
officer of Anakpawis Partylist. Baylosis is included in the list of
persons slapped with multiple murder charges along with Ocampo. The
labor leader said they will also protect Baylosis and all KMU
officials from any illegal arrests and actions coming from the
government. "Ka Bel is still in detention after his treacherous and
illegal arrest orchestrated by the Arroyo government last year. We
will not allow the arrest and harming of any of our leaders," said
Ustarez.


Ustarez said that aside from acts of persecution against high-profile
Anakpawis Partylist leaders, even organizers and members in local
level experience harassment and intimidation. An Anakpawis organizer
from Taguig who was only identified as Dolfo was chased by alleged
ISAFP agents near C-9 in Taguig last Thursday morning.


Peace missions in militarized communities


"Even KADAMAY members and leaders in urban poor communities in
Commonwealth and Payatas in Quezon City are being harassed by 
armed
military under the guise of civil military operations. In Dona Nicasia
Subdivision in Commonwealth, KADAMAY members are being 
monitored.
"Active KADAMAY members are threatened by the military to stop 
joining
rallies organized by KMU and Anakpawis."


KMU, KADAMAY and human rights advocates will organize peace 
missions
and fact-finding activities in militarized areas in Metro Manila in
the coming days to assert the eviction of military elements and
detachments in urban poor communities with Anakpawis Chapters. "We
will seek the assistance of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte on this
matter. Local governments must act to stop the growing presence and
'terror' activities of the military in residential areas," Ustarez
concluded. ###

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