Contact: Rhonda Ramiro
Secretary General, BAYAN-USA
secgen@bayanusa.org

Philippine Congresswoman Liza Maza distributing relief packages

DAGUPAN CITY, PHIILIPPINES–Filipino-Americans under the banner of BAYAN-USA, a US-wide alliance of 14 Filipino organizations, have been actively responding to the needs of the victims of typhoons Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng) that slammed through the Philippines in the past few weeks killing hundreds and devastating thousands. In addition to conducting on-the-ground emergency relief operations in the Philippines, the alliance reached its projected goal of $15,000 for BALSA (Bayanihan Alay Para Sa Sambayanan), a broad, multi-sectoral disaster relief organization affiliated with its mother alliance, BAYAN Philippines, in addition to gathering dozens of boxes across the US filled with in-kind donations of clothes, food, and medicine.

This week, members of BAYAN-USA traveled to the Philippines to deliver their monetary donations and participate in relief operations. In Dagupan City, Pangasinan, BAYAN-USA joined Congresswoman and Senatorial Candidate Liza Maza of the Gabriela Women’s Party and MAKABAYAN Coalition for one day in handing out over 2,000 sacks of food to long lines of families who had been devastated by the typhoon’s destructive force, but met with the inadequate response of the Philippine government in providing relief. Pangansinan, one of the most impacted provinces in the nation, was 80% submerged due to the man-made disaster of the San Roque Dam opening that unleashed more than 8 million cubic meters of water.

“We have seen with our own eyes how the Philippine government has neglected the needs of the typhoon victims at a time of tremendous need for basic necessities like medicine, food, and shelter,” commented Bernadette Ellorin, chair of BAYAN-USA and one of the members of the relief team. “It has been the responsibility of people’s organizations, like BAYAN-USA, to provide the emergency response needed for our families and loved ones back home who are suffering and will continue to suffer from the Arroyo government’s greedy, disaster-creating policies.”

Relief Distribution Plans

In relaying its monetary and in-kind donations, BAYAN-USA expressed distrust over the Arroyo government’s recent directive for all donations from abroad to be coursed only through accredited organizations with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or face taxation and other types of penalties and fees.

Furthermore, Philippine Consular offices in the U.S. have imposed restrictions on courier services from shipping relief goods collected by organizations whose efforts are not affiliated with the Philippine government. Courier services face high penalty fees should they choose to ship goods from people’s organizations collecting donations such as BAYAN-USA.

“In this time of calamity, it is unconscionable that the Arroyo government sees this as an opportunity to make money off of suffering,” Ellorin added, “especially when its own corruption of the National Disaster Relief Funds to pay for Arroyo’s lavish lifestyle is at the root of this disaster.”

Like other donors from the U.S., BAYAN-USA is calling for the Arroyo government to lift restrictions on goodwill, including the DSWD accreditation requirement and the taxation on relief goods, as it is posing a concrete obstacle to donors to send relief to the Philippines.

“Donors from the U.S. are not responding to the directives because of clear distrust. How can they be assured that their donations will reach their loved ones and the neediest communities back home?” Ellorin questioned. “Donors are choosing to go through alternative routes to circumvent the Arroyo government’s greedy paws.”

With the approaching super-typhoon Lupit expected to hit the Philippines within the next few days, the need for long-term or permanent disaster relief efforts becomes more apparent. “In the face of government corruption and inutility, people’s organizations should develop long-term relief operations to meet the escalating needs of the people to fight off the looming threats of cholera, dengue and other health epidemics as well as widespread hunger and homelessness,” ended Ellorin.

Members of BAYAN-USA and GABRIELA-USA with Congresswoman Liza Maza

For more information on how to donate through BAYAN USA, visit www.bayanusa.org.

Contact: Rhonda Ramiro
Secretary General, BAYAN-USA
secgen@bayanusa.org

European Court Ruling Removes Professor Sison from EU Blacklist

BAYAN-USA Applauds European Court Decision, Calls on U.S. State Department to Follow Suit

BAYAN-USA celebrated the landmark victory for all progressives and freedom-loving people on September 30, when the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (ECFI) annulled all previous decisions by the Council of the European Union (EU) that had maintained Professor Jose Maria Sison on an EU “terrorist list” and frozen his bank account since 2002. The Court ruled that “the procedures before the Raad van State and the Rechtbank [Hague District Court] clearly do not involve any ‘conviction’ of Mr Sison, nor do they amount to decisions to ‘instigat[e] … investigations or prosecut[e] for a terrorist act’.”

“The tactics used by reactionary governments to vilify Joma in the courts have failed because they stood on false pretenses,” said Berna Ellorin, Chair of BAYAN-USA. “No amount of smoke and mirrors could hide the truth: the only thing Joma is guilty of is serving the people and fighting for national freedom, democracy and social liberation.”

The EU’s terrorist blacklisting of Professor Sison in 2002 and the Dutch government’s subsequent arrest and detention of Sison in 2007 drew immediate criticism; well-respected organizations and individuals internationally denounced the actions as instigated by the Philippine and U.S. governments to silence dissent, particularly since the U.S. State Department had placed Professor Sison on its “terrorist list” earlier in 2002. Warrantless arrests and levying of false criminal charges against political activists are among the skyrocketing numbers of human rights violations committed since 2001 under the administration of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her military. Earlier this year, Professor Sison was cleared of the Dutch government’s charges due to lack of any credible evidence.

“Joma’s vindication underscores the absurdity of the terrorist blacklisting in the first place,” stated Ellorin. “The U.S.-backed Arroyo regime can no longer hide behind the rhetoric of ‘preventing terrorism’ to justify what is actually a campaign of political repression.”

“If President Obama hopes for the U.S. to regain any credibility among international human rights bodies, it would serve him well to ensure that the U.S. State Department removes Joma from the U.S. terrorist list.”

Contact: Rhonda Ramiro
Secretary General, BAYAN-USA
secgen@bayanusa.org

“Rep. Alcover is only deceiving himself if he thinks that anyone is going to believe his malicious lies and slanderous statements. He should apologize to the Filipino people for wasting their money and time, and issue an immediate retraction of his slanderous statements,” remarked BAYAN-USA Chair Berna Ellorin, in reaction to Representative Pastor Alcover Jr.’s privilege speech to the Philippine House of Representatives on August 17, 2009.

The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN-USA, denounced Rep. Alcover’s privilege speech as another pathetic attempt by the Arroyo regime to wash its hands of responsibility for the thousands of state-sponsored human rights violations plaguing the Philippines and to discredit the testimony of torture victim Melissa Roxas. “Melissa Roxas’ strong credibility as a victim of torture, backed unanimously by the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines, has created a diplomatic nightmare for the Arroyo government. Roxas’ brave pursuit of justice and accountability is expectedly bringing out the witch-hunters in the Arroyo government, namely ANAD Partylist Representative Jun Alcover,” stated Ellorin.

Throughout the speech, Rep. Alcover made baseless claims and stated erroneous information as facts. Such information included Rep. Alcover’s branding of BAYAN-USA as “an organization under the NDF [National Democratic Front] international in the United States.”

“Rep. Alcover is stooping to slander as a means to absolve the Arroyo government of the more than 1,000 cases of extrajudicial killings and over 200 cases each of enforced disappearances and torture—including the most recent case of Melissa Roxas. This is no surprise, given the overwhelmingly credible testimony provided by Melissa,” said Ellorin. “The Arroyo regime has a history of recycling the ‘communist boogeyman’ every time it gets put on the defensive. Rep. Alcover should be reminded that these McCarthyist red-baiting tactics were discredited last century, for their utter failure to do anything but demonize innocent people and make the world less safe for everyone.”

Rep. Alcover also referred repeatedly to a “hate campaign” being waged to shame the government. “Did Rep. Alcover mis-read the reports by the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights watch, which all point to government responsibility for the overwhelming majority of human rights violations committed against innocent Filipinos?” stated Ellorin. “Clearly, the hate campaign being waged is the one that GMA and her supporters have been waging since 2001, against any person courageous enough to speak up for justice and criticize the failed policies of the Arroyo administration.”

“Alcover is abusing his position in the legislature to advance the Philippine military’s agenda within. His red-baiting and inflammatory remarks also serve to undermine the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDF, even though the NDF has every right to assert its platform for genuine national freedom and democracy, lasting peace, and a progressive Philippines. Rep. Alcover should spend his time, and the Filipino people’s money, concerning himself with public service for a nation in grave need, and not with bloody, ineffective counter-insurgency tactics.” ended Ellorin.

Los Angeles–“US workers and labor unions should raise their voices against the gross human rights violations inflicted on their fellow workers, labor unions and other sectors in the Philippines,” appealed Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, the chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) or May 1st Movement, the largest labor center in the Philippines.  He spoke at the UCLA Labor Center on December 4 among a number of people from diverse ethnicities.

Labog was a hotel worker organizer before getting elected as Chairperson of KMU, as Vice President of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance) and as Second Deputy General Secretary of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS).

Labog’s history-making tour marks the first time that a leader from KMU has been allowed to enter the United States since it was founded in 1980.  Over the years, large unions in the US invited past leaders of the KMU to no avail.  The steadfast militant character of the KMU is the reason why.

BAYAN USA, an alliance of twelve Filipino social justice organizations in the United States, helped organize Labog’s three-week tour, in partnership with the Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of California at Berkeley.  He made speaking engagements in San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver in Canada, Los Angeles, Tijuana in Mexico, and San Diego.

“Linking Human Rights and Workers’ Struggles Around the World,” was the theme of Labog’s talks in Southern California.  It was a rare opportunity where Filipino Americans heard first-hand from an esteemed labor leader about the widespread human rights abuses and labor repression in the Philippines and their connection to the US tax dollars.  Labog said, “the US military aid to the Philippines, which is the biggest in Asia, is continuing to help the repressive Arroyo regime in quelling dissent to its oppressive and anti-people policies.”  Since the ascension of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into power in 2001, there had been 22 KMU members killed, and three enforced disappearances.

Recently, labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, chief legal counsel of KMU and Board Chairperson of the Pro-Labor Legal Assistance was arrested on false charges of murder.  Saladero’s baseless detention affects countless other victims of human rights abuses, as he was handling nearly 700 labor cases before various tribunals.  Saladero is one of the 72 people in Southern Luzon targeted to be arrested and jailed because of trumped-up accusations.

These workers murders, enforced disappearances and illegal arrests are part of the unbridled human rights abuses of the government of Arroyo. To date, there are now more than a thousand extra-judicial killings, and 199 disappearances, scores are being jailed on false charges, and thousands of people in the provinces are becoming internal refugees.

The KMU, and its Chairperson Elmer Labog are no strangers to repression by the US-backed Philippine government.  Countless leaders of KMU, such Felixberto Olalia and Crispin Beltran, were jailed for staunchly defending workers’ rights. Labog was also jailed during the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos.

Labog also extended an invitation to the 25th anniversary of the International Solidarity Affair (ISA) taking place in the Philippines from April 29 to May 10, 2009.  The ISA is an opportunity for labor organizers from all over the world to share the struggles in their respective countries and to network and build solidarity.

---

KMU Website:
http://www.kilusangmayouno.org

KMU Filipino Workers Tribute (Video):
http://www.vimeo.com/2471283

---

Elmer Labog’s radio interview on “Voices From the Frontlines”
aired Monday, December 1, 2008
on Pacifica station 90.7 KPFK (www.kpfk.org)

starts at 23min 00sec mark

Play full segment:
http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/pls.php?mp3fil=16950

Download full segment:
http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/mp3/kpfk_081201_160200voicesfromfrontlines.mp3

---

Elmer Labog’s radio interview on “Freedom Now”
aired Tuesday, December 9, 2008
on Pacifica station 90.7 KPFK (www.kpfk.org)

starts at 11min 30sec mark

Play full segment:
http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/pls.php?mp3fil=17110

Download full segment:
http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/mp3/kpfk_081209_200200freedomnow.mp3

TAGAPAMANDILA NG TUNAY, MILITANTE AT ANTI-IMPERYALISTANG UNYONISMO

153 Barangay Niugan, Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines
tel no: 049.8322189
telefax: 049.5310054
email: granahe@yahoo.com
Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan “¢ Kilusang Mayo Uno

Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU) or Solidarity Workers in Southern Tagalog-May First Movement assailed the PEZA police and company security guards for the brutal dispersal and harassment of striking workers in Cavite Export Processing Zone, Rosario, Cavite.

“The workers in Southern Tagalog condemn, in strongest terms, the bloody dispersal, physical and sexual harassments employed against workers who opted to exercise their right to strike because of the refusal of the capitalists to start with their collective bargaining negotiations,” according to Luz Baculo, PAMANTIK secretary-general.

Workers from 2 Korean garment factories, namely Chong Won Fashion, Inc. and Phils. Jeon Garments, Inc., simultaneously launched their strikes in the morning of September 24, 2006 on the grounds of managements’ unfair labor practices, union busting, refusal to bargain in the collective bargaining negotiations and illegal dismissal of workers.

Since their strikes, the workers were dispersed on 3 occasions by elements of Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) Police and Jantro Security Agency which left scores badly wounded. Workers, who were mostly women, reported cases of sexual harassments while being dispersed by the police and security guards.

As of lunchtime on September 25, 2006, PEZA police imposed food blockade, checkpoints, ID and zone pass confiscation of Chong Won strikers and their supporters. PEZA police takes orders from PEZA director general Lilia de Lima.

Baculo added, “The workers’ strikes are legitimate. Only an irrational and illogical being will have them dispersed after the unions won several favourable legal decisions from different labor and government institutions.”

Nagkakaisang Manggagawa sa Chong Won-Independent (United Workers at Chong Won-Independent) won its legitimacy as a union in the certification elections and when declared sole and exclusive bargaining representative by the Department of Labor and Employment on August 5, 2004.

Instead of entertaining the union’s letters of intent in their interest to have collective bargaining negotiations, Chong Won management filed complaints, election protests, motions and petitions to labor and government institutions. The union, however, won favourably 2 Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) decisions, 2 from the Office of the Secretary of DoLE, 1 from the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, and 3 Court of Appeals decisions.

On the other hand, DoLE granted the sole and exclusive bargaining representative title to union Kaisahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Phils. Jeon, Inc. (Unity of Workers in Phils. Jeon, Inc.-Independent) after it won in the certification elections on August 16, 2004. Despite appeals from the management, the DoLE issued 4 separate orders affirming its decision favourable to the union.

“There is no reason for PAMANTIK to not support the workers of Chong Won and Phils. Jeon. We have already called the attention of workers in the region to support their strikes. We are also working to bring their cases to the House of Representatives and other institutions on the issue of human rights abuses.###

Reference: Luz Baculo, PAMANTIK Secretary-General, Mobile No. 09193198268

ACTION ALERT

Nestle co-workers together with workers from other companies in Southern Tagalog, supporters, family members, friends and comrades of Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna will visit his grave, lay a martyr’s marker on his tombstone and renew their commitment to continue and carry on Ka Fort’s ideals and struggles. After a short program on his grave, they will proceed to the Nestle plant in Cabuyao, Laguna to hold a rally and a simple cultural event. These are the activities to commemorate in a simple but militant manner the first anniversary of the brutal killing of Ka Fort on Sept. 22, 2006.

A year ago, Ka Fort was mercilessly slain by two armed men on board a motorcycle while on his way home to visit his ailing 2-yr old grandson. He just came from a discussion with students integrating in the Nestle picket line. Ka Fort sustained two fatal gunshot wounds, with one bullet piercing through his heart and another hitting his liver.

At the time of his death, Ka Fort was the president of the United Filipro Employees (UFE) in Cabuyao, Laguna, the union of Nestle Cabuyao rank and file workers affiliated with the Drug, Food and Allied Industries under Kilusang Mayo Uno (DFA-KMU). He was also the chairman of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU) or the Solidarity of Workers in Southern Tagalog and a member of the National Council of KMU. He was also the chairman of the Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist in Southern Tagalog and co-chairman of the National Coalition for the Protection of Workers Rights - Southern Tagalog.

Before his death, Fortuna was on the military hit list due to his active trade union and political involvement. He was under constant surveillance and harassment by military and paid goons of Nestle since the Cabuyao plant went on strike on January 14, 2002 over deadlock in the collective bargaining negotiations. The Nestle management refused to adhere to the 1991 Supreme Court ruling on the inclusion of the workers’ retirement benefits in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Up to his last breath, Ka Fort led the Nestle workers’ struggle and courageously fought against combined attacks of Nestle and the Philippine government thru the Department of Labor and Employment. Despite numerous bribe offers coupled with threats to his life due to his union and political activities, he was steadfast to the workers’ cause and never for a single time abandoned the struggle. Ka Fort epitomizes the Filipino workers and people’s struggle for genuine equality, freedom and democracy.

Ka Fort is among the 64 trade unionists killed since 2001 under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime. Over the last 6 years, more than 750 have been killed because of their political beliefs and activities. International bodies such as the Amnesty International, the International Confederation of Trade Unions and the Asia Human Rights Center have expressed an alarming concern on this increasing number of human rights violations committed by the Arroyo government.

Justice continues to elude Ka Fort. Up to now, his death remains unsolved. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has also temporarily archived Ka Fort’s case.

But his death and sacrifices were not put to waste. The Nestle workers went on with their struggle against the giant multinational company. Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled the validity of the inclusion of the retirement benefits in the CBA. Similarly, Ka Fort continues to inspire not just the workers in Southern Tagalog but the workers all over the country and the globe.

We call on all our friends to join us in commemorating Ka Fort’s first death anniversary. Please send solidarity messages that can be read at the commemoration activities on Sept 22.

And as Ka Fort is one of the hundreds of victims of extra-judicial killings in the country, we also reiterate our call to you to be one with us in struggling against the new dictatorship of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On Sept 21, there will be a nationwide protest action against Arroyo’s militarist and dictatorial policies. The Filipino nation is demanding an end to political killings and repression. The International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) of which KMU is a member has also called for a Sept 21 Global Day of Action Against Extra-judicial Killings in the Philippines. We urge you to join this call by launching protest actions or dialogues on Philippine Consulates and Embassies in your respective places. You can also send protest letters to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines demanding a stop to political killings and repression and to respect the democratic aspirations of the people.

Solidarity messages for Ka Fort’s anniversary can be sent to:

PAMANTIK-KMU
e-mail address: granahe@yahoo.com
cc: kmuid@tri-isys.com

Protest letters can be sent to:

Nandu Nandkishore
CEO & President
Nestle Center
31 Plaza Drive
Rockwell Center, Makati City, Phils.
Fax No. (632) 8906681

Peter Brabeck
Chief Executive Officer
Nestle
Vevey, Switzerland
Email: Peter.Brabeck_Letmathe@nestle.com

Hon. Arturo Brion
Labor Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
7th Floor, DOLE Building
Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila, PHILIPPINES
fax: 0063-2-527 3494

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
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: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

We would appreciate if you could inform us of your actions. Thank you very much for your continued support to the Filipino workers and people.

In solidarity,
KMU International Department

Nestle Update

Almost a year after Ka Fort’s death, the Supreme Court issued a ruling affirming the legality of the retirement plan as a valid issue in the collective bargaining. In their Notice of Judgment, the Supreme Court of the Philippines stated:

“The ruling of the Court of Appeals on the inclusion of the Retirement Plan as a valid issue in the collective bargaining negotiations between UFE-DFA-KMU and Nestle is AFFIRMED. The parties are directed to resume negotiations respecting the Retirement Plan and to take action consistent with the discussions hereinabove set forth. (the Supreme Court 1st Division G.R.Nos.158930-31/ G.R.Nos.158944-45 UFE-DFA-KMU VS. Nestle Phils.Inc. August 22, 2006)

Yet on the other hand, the Supreme Court ruled that the Nestle Philippines was not guilty of unfair labor practice in its refusal to bargain that finally pushed the workers to strike. Subsequent actions such as violent dispersals of the picket line and criminal charges slapped to the workers were not also considered as unfair labor practices.

Immediately after the Supreme Court decision came out, Nestle beefed up the number of company guards and military forces stationed inside the company in anticipation of workers’ actions. Simultaneously, the company’s dirty trick machinery started working again, engaging in disinformation and black propaganda against the union. It talked with the Municipal and Barangay Councils to seek their “help” in convincing the workers to yield to the management schemes. The families of the striking workers were being offered money to abandon the strike. These are some of the attempts of the company to avoid the Supreme Court decision to go back to the negotiating table to talk about the retirement benefits of the workers and the reinstatement of illegally dismissed striking workers.

The Nestle workers vow to continue with their fight. They continue to call for support to their struggle.

“Vigilance must be maintained”. This was the advice of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) as Arroyo withdrew PP 1017 this morning. “The revocation was done merely in words not in deeds. The attack on people’s rights will continue to intensify.”

According to Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU, “The rescinding of PP 1017 shall be used as a veil to obfuscate the intensifying suppression of the people’s democratic, civil and political rights. By labeling the dissenters as ‘destabilizers’, it’s a go signal for attack. Even though Arroyo declared the revocation of PP 1017, warrantless arrest and summary executions of activists remains.”

Labog said Arroyo’s lifting of the State of National Emergency was done because “it was too hot to handle” as militants, media, lawyers, lawmakers and the rest of the nation bonded versus the Marcosian tactics.

Labog noted the report on DZMM that Arroyo use funds of the GSIS to infuse money on the stock market to make it bullish and create a positive outlook of the market on the PP 1017. “Another clear manipulation to perpetuate her stay in the Palace,” said Labog.

The Department of Justice made it clear that crackdown on political opposition will continue, as Rep. Crispin Beltran remained in detention on trumped up charges of rebellion and inciting to sedition. “How can service to the people, as exemplified by KMU Chairman Emeritus Ka Bel, and recognized by Congress by making him Congressman of the year for four consecutive years, be labeled as rebellious,” opined Labog.

One-party rule in the making

Meanwhile, Labog noted the start of a one-party rule under Arroyo. “Atienza’s coup on the Liberal Party was clearly orchestrated by Arroyo and Mike Defensor. Arroyo’s wants to maintain her grip on power by attacking the political parties opposed to her. Arroyo’s is already consolidating power as election season is in the air,” said Labog.

Labog said that Arroyo will do everything to remain seated in Malacañang. “Like a rabid dog, she will attack anyone who will express dissent to her rule. Even Ka Bel who is already 73 years old and suffering from hypertension will not be spared,” stated Labog.

Yesterday, Ka Bel was rushed to the hospital due to hypertension, affirming the fear of the family and supporters of the Anakpawis Partylist Representative. “We are reiterating our demand that Ka Bel be removed from Camp Crame and be brought to the Philippine Heart Center before his medical condition becomes even worse,” ended Labog. ###

Two leaders of the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO-KMU) arrested while negotiating to visit Rep. Crispin Beltran in Camp Crame.

10:45 a.m. - Two leaders of the KMU federation Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO-KMU) were arrested while they were negotiating to visit Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran in his detention cell in Camp Crame.

Dennis Maga and Marcial Dabela, Secretary General and Vice President for Organization respectively of ANGLO-KMU, were brought to Camp Karingal in Quezon City immediately after the arrest.

The two were part of about a hundred protesters from KMU and Anakpawis who marched to Camp Crame to demand the immediate release of Ka Bel. Ka Bel was illegally arrested and detained last Saturday, Feb. 26, a day after Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared PD 1017, putting the country into a state of national emergency.

The protesters were blocked by anti-riot police in the intersection of Camp Crame and Santolan Avenue in EDSA. The negotiating panel, of which Maga and Dabela were part of, said that they also intend to visit Ka Bel to show support for him, especially since Ka Bel is the former national chairperson of ANGLO-KMU. The police responded that the protesters are too many for the ’supposed’ visit. Both parties then agreed that 3-5 leaders would be allowed to enter and the others would have to move back. As the other protesters were moving back, the police hastily arrested the two leaders, breaking the earlier agreement.

“The arrest not only shows how treacherous this government is but more so, how dangerous is PD 1017 and how it can be subject to grave abuse. It is so disgusting that you can be arrested even when all you want to do is visit an illegally detained political figure,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

“We will not be cowed by this kind of intimidation. We would be readying for more protests in the coming days, until our comrades Ka Bel, Maga and Dabela are released and until PD 1017 is revoked. We will continue to intensify our mass actions until Gloria is ousted,” ends Labog.

The following actions are recommended:

1. Send protest letters to the Philippine president and other concerned government agencies
2. Send solidarity message
3. Hold protest actions in front of the Philippine Consulates
4. Hold dialogues with Philippine Ambassadors
5. Any pertinent actions you may deem necessary

Send protest letters 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
Mobile: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

Hon. Avelino J. Cruz, Jr.
Secretary of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de los
Santos Avenue Quezon City
Voice: +63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax: +63(2) 911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com

Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph

You can send solidarity messages to:

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Email: crispinbeltran@gmail.com

Dennis Maga & Marcial Dabela
ANGLO-KMU
Email: kmuid@tri-isys.com

Please furnish the KMU (kmuid@tri-isys.com) with any actions you may take.

Thank you very much for your support to the Filipino workers and people!

In solidarity,
Kilusang Mayo Uno

Another militant Party List Representative arrested; DOJ files rebellion charges against party list reps, tags KMU and other progressive legal organizations as CPP fronts

3:30 p.m. - Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador was arrested in Davao City this afternoon. Sketchy reports said that he was arrested at the Davao International airport. He was immediately brought to Camp Leonor but Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took Rep. Virador into his custody. Duterte said that he will personally surrender Rep. Virador to House Minority Leader Francis Escudero and House Speaker Joe de Venecia tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino, and Gabriela Womens Party representative Liza Maza, opted to go to the Congress and wait for their warrant of arrests to be served. A commotion ensued when policemen tried to prevent their supporters from entering the House. The police also attempted to arrest a staff of Rep. Virador but failed.

This morning, the PNP filed rebellion charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 51 so-called “reds”, which included leaders and members identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), partylist representatives, and other militant leaders.

In its complaint, the PNP named 41 individuals and several John and Jane Does. Among those charged were Jose Maria Sison, founder of CPP-NPA; National Democratic Front (NDF) chairperson Luis Jalandoni; and partylist Representatives Beltran and Mariano (Anakpawis); Ocampo, Casiño and Virador (Bayan Muna); and Maza (Gabriela).

It also tagged as legal fronts of the CPP-NPA organizations such as Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Gabriela, and PAMALAKAYA, among others.

Last Saturday, Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran, also a veteran labor leader, was arrested outside the gate of a subdivision in Bulacan, north of Manila, where he resides.

At 6pm tonight, KMU will launch a “Candle for Democracy” campaign. Simultaneous candle lighting will be conducted in front of factories, offices and residences to protest the blanket martial law that the Arroyo government is implementing under PD 1017. KMU is calling on the people to go out of their houses, offices, factories and communities at 6pm tonight and everyday and light a candle until PD 1017 is scrapped.

We are encouraging our international network to join us in this campaign.

In solidarity,
Kilusang Mayo Uno

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemns the arrest of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran.

“If the government can do this to our representatives in the Lower House using PD 1017, how much more to us ordinary citizens?” stressed Elmer Labog, KMU National Chairperson.

According to reports, Beltran was arrested by the military led by a certain Major Rene Corpus at the gate of Francisco III Subdivision in Muzon, Bulacan around 10 am today after leaving his house. Beltran was said to be taken for investigation in Camp Crame. The veteran labor advocate was accompanied by his wife, grandchild and two security personnel when the incident occurred.

Beltran was also a victim of martial law during the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos when crackdown hit the KMU leaders. On August 13, 1983, three trade union leaders, 28 organizers and three church people were arrested. The office of the National Federation of Labor Union (NAFLU) was raided. Then KMU National President Ka Bert Olalia, KMU Secretary General Crispin Beltran and PISTON President Medardo Roda were arrested.

Beltran was honored as an outstanding congressman for four consecutive years.

Meanwhile, an attempt to arrest Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo also happened this morning after a press conference in Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. But reports said, members of Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) failed to arrest the partylist solon and instead took two of Ocampo’s staff.

KMU urges the media, different organizations and the people to be vigilant on the president’s state of emergency, “It is apparent that Gloria is using this decree to freely suppress and take revenge on the staunch critics of the anti-people policies of this administration.”