Local union in Robina Farms Bulacan, Palparan's new target

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today expresses support for the Bulacan provincial board resolution signed by Gov. Josefina de la Cruz calling for the pullout of M/Sgt. Rollie Castillo from the 24th Infantry Battalion because of accusations of human rights violations.

According to Elmer Labog, National Chairman of KMU, " The resolution is a breakthrough for the fight against worsening militarization in Bulacan. But the KMU and our local unions in Bulacan call not only for the reassignment of Castillo on other areas but also that the latter and the mastermind-butcher Gen. Jovito Palparan be fully investigated and be held liable for their crimes."

Labog said that M/Sgt. Castillo was also one of the military men named by workers of Robina Farms, a piggery and poultry in Brgy. Calumpang in San Miguel Bulacan.

According to reports from members of the Board of Directors of Kilusang Unyon sa Robina Farms, a union under Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO) which is affiliated to KMU, members and union leaders were being harassed by military men into disaffiliating from KMU.

Union president Unio Quantero express apprehension, "Nag-aaalala kami na ang mga manggagawa ay matatakot lalo't parating na ang aming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) sa susunod na taon. Miniting kami ng mga militar noong ika-16 ngayong buwan at gusto kaming gawing independiyenteng unyon, makipagkaisa sa manedsment at kumalas sa KMU." (We are worried that the workers will be scared especially since our Collective Bargaining Agreement will end next year. The military called us in a meeting last March 16 and they want us to be an independent union, kowtow with the management and disaffiliate from KMU.)

Quantero related that the military men who talked to them include Major Clement of 56th IB, Col. Ramos, Sgt. Hidalgo of 24th IB and M/Sgt. Castillo.

Labog meanwhile is weary for the life of the local union leaders. He further went on that the harassment in Robina Farms is only part of the all-out war and witch-hunting of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Just last March 6, Rogelio Concepcion, a union official of Solid Development Corp. Workers Association (SDCWA) in Brgy. Mataas na Parang, San Ildefonso Bulacan, also went missing.

"Gen. Palparan is also our prime suspect in the assassination of Tirso Cruz, board director of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) in Hacienda Luisita," Labog said.

The labor leader also urges the local government, church people and other local organizations in Bulacan and Central Luzon not to be threatened and continue the condemnations against the continuing killings of workers, union leaders and members of progressive organizations.

"This government is so desperate that it attacks the workers on all fronts from the Congress to legal mass organizations, from our KMU Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran to organizers and unionists in the factories," ended Labog.