"Justice for all victims of Arroyo's human rights abuses"

Cebu City – City-wide protest rallies on the occasion of International Human Rights Day highlighted the Filipino people's condemnation on the rising cases of political killings, trade union repression and human rights abuses. National and local multisectoral groups assembled at Fuente Osmena and marched to Malacanang of the South.

"The ASEAN Summit's deferment did not dampen our protest spirit. After the activities here in Cebu, we will go back to Manila for bigger protests against Charter Change," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog. He said they will join the big protests against ChaCha on December 11 and December 15.

During the rally, workers from AMA Sugbo and urban poor group PANAGHUGPONG led a Sinulog-inspired war dance against Arroyo. Dressed in colorful costumes and head gears, protesters marched and danced to show their resistance to Arroyo's repressive and militarist rule.

"As of now, there are 798 cases of politically-motivated killings of activists and members of progressive organizations and civilians. The wanton abuses initiated by elements of the AFP and PNP range from abduction, torture, harassment, surveillance, illegal arrests, illegal detention and many more. This year alone, 73 workers and labor advocates were killed. Trade union repression happen on a nationwide scale."

The grave situation of human rights abuses under the Arroyo administration all the more justifies the people's broad protests against her attempts to prolong her stay in power through Charter Change," Labog said.

The labor leader said they are demanding justice for all victims of political repression. "We also demand the immediate release of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran who was illegally detained by the Arroyo government last January due to trump up charges of sedition and rebellion," Labog added.

KMU also supported AMA-Sugbo's demand for the urgent release of KMU-Cebu organizer Gerard Lavadia who is now detained in Talisay after the military arrested him last September. He was charged with rebellion and extortion. "At the time of his arrest, Lavadia is actively organizing labor unions here in Cebu. The accusations and charges against him by the military are purely imaginary," said AMA Sugbo Chairperson Winnie Badayos.

Actions against ChaCha escalating nationwide

KMU will lead a city-wide motorcade against Arroyo's Charter Change. "Whatever form they use, whether ConAss or ConCon, the Malacanang-sponsored Charter Change deserves to be junked," Labog said.

The labor group also initiated a petition signing against ChaCha at the Fuente Osmena. "Lupa, sahod, trabaho, tirahan at karapatan ang nais ng mamamayan, hindi ang pahirap na Charter Change ni Arroyo." Labog said that workers are demanding for P125 across-the-board wage
increase.