“Cops no nameplates, under the influence of alcohol”

At least 5 protesting Hanjin Garments workers were hurt when more than 30 policemen, some reportedly intoxicated, dispersed them in front of the Gatchalian Industrial Subdivision at 9:40PM yesterday, January 31 in Barangay Banay-Banay, Cabuyao, Laguna.

“Sinisikap naming makapagpaliwanag sa kanila (pulis). Kinukwestyon din namin bakit wala silang mga suot na nameplate, pero ang sagot nila ay panghahamit ng away (We were trying to reason out with them [policemen]. We also questioned why they wear no nameplates, but they responded picking up a fight.),” said Christopher Capistrano, vice-president of independent union Aniban ng Manggagawang Inaapi sa Hanjin Garments (AMIHAN).

”Ang unang hanay nila, nang umabante at dumikit sa amin, ay nangangamoy alak. (Their frontline, as it advanced and closed in on our ranks, stinks of alcohol),” added Capistrano.

Also present in the dispersal are 10 fully-armed elements of the Regional Mobile Group of the PNP, some of which were reportedly taking pictures and videos of protesters before and during the dispersal.

The dispersal lasted for 10 minutes. Erica Lee Balane, Ronilo Jimenez, Arnel Vito, Meljun Aquino, and Capistrano himself suffered minor injuries from truncheons and shields.

The protesters retreated back to the nearby Saint Augustine Chapel, where they were encamped since January 26.

Earlier, at 6AM, workers re-established their protest camp in front of the subdivision.

Cabuyao mayor Isidro “Jun” Hemedes, in the afternoon, imposed a curfew for minors effective January 31, from 11PM till 4AM.

Union officers reported that around 8PM, a certain Capt. Bersaluna, who introduced himself as the new PNP Cabuyao chief, warned to disperse the protesting workers by 9PM.

“Ang sabi ni Bersaluna, iligal daw ang ginagawa namin at kailangan daw naming humingi ng permit kay mayor para magsagawa ng ganitong aktibidad (Bersaluna claimed that what we are doing is illegal and that we need to secure a permit from the mayor to launch such an activity),” recounted Capistrano.

“Nilinaw ko sa kanya na naka-picket protest kami at wala kaming ginagawang labag sa batas (I clarified to him that we are on a picket protest and that we are not doing anything against the law).”

Bersaluna, the union officers claimed, insisted that the workers secure a permit from the mayor.

‘Bold and daring’ reaction

Meanwhile, Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU), the militant labor center in the region, condemned the continuing attacks against Hanjin workers.

“The local government and police’s reaction against the workers becomes bold and daring by the day. The mayor imposed a curfew as if Cabuyao is a war zone. War-clad operatives are taking pictures and videos of protesters out in the open. Intoxicated police with no nameplates confront and bludgeon mostly women and barely 18 year-old workers whose only line of defense is their rightful demands for reinstatement, regularization, and union recognition,” said PAMANTIK in a statement.

“We expect the worse from capitalist lackeys and mercenaries. Hanjin workers and other workers will be prepared to exhaust all possible means to defend and struggle for what is just and right should such collusion unleash its utter rottenness."