Jap exec threatens to shoot workers

Japanese CEO threatened to shoot workers should they tend to cross the premises of Chiyoda Philippines Integre Incorporated (CIPI).

Some 24 protesting workers of Chiyoda Philippines Integre Incorporated who marched from the gates of Light Industry and Science Park I (LISP I) to the company gates at 8AM yesterday, February 11, reported that President and CEO Mr. Shinsuke Ozaki, himself, pronounced the threat in an informal talk with the workers.

“We were protesting and reminding Mr. Ozaki to abide by the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the workers and Chiyoda management. Instead, he welcomed us with threat,” said Felimon Alfiler, president of independent union Tunay at Lumalaban para sa Ikatatatag ng Manggagawa sa Chiyoda (TALIM-Chiyoda).

The workers and management, after a strike, signed an agreement effective August 6, 2007, which includes payroll reinstatement for 52 dismissed employees and physical reinstatement of all union members.

“It has been 6 months now since that MOA, but only eight had been physically reinstated and the remaining 44 received no payroll reinstatement since November 2007. We are legitimate regular workers of Chiyoda protesting within the bounds of the law. And Mr. Ozaki has no right to display his bullish manners at this point when our families are starving to death,” Alfiler firmly said.

Aside from 16 company guards and seven VIP guards of Mr. Ozaki, two LISP patrol cars, Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) Police, and the Laguna Industrial Park Police Assistance Group (LIPPAG) came immediately to the scene.

A certain Capt. Apilas and Col. Marvin Saro headed the PEZA Police and LIPPAG, respectively.

“Some men in civilian were also scattered around while the talks with the management is on-going,” Alfiler added.

Close surveillance, posing threat

Chiyoda union officials reported that some elements of LIPPAG, headed by Chief Saro, monitored the presence of 17 workers attending a hearing at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB-RAB-IVA) at 9:40AM today, February 12, in Barangay Paciano, Calamba City.

“What is Col. Saro doing here? The NCMB is an office where labor disputes are discussed and settled, and the LIPPAG has no business here,” questioned Alfiler who attended the hearing.

The workers attended a hearing regarding the non-implementation of MOA. NCMB Conciliator Cynthia Foncardas handles the case of Chiyoda labor dispute.

“We can say that these police are conducting a close surveillance, trying to intimidate and pose a threat to us workers. They are now exposing themselves, aside from the hooded motorcycle-riding men monitoring and threatening to abduct or kill some of our union officers in their homes and private activities,” concluded Alfiler.