The workers and the people cannot rely on Aquino for justice! -KMU [On news that KMU is pinning hopes on the Aquino gov’t to bring justice to Olalia’s death]

We want to clarify that Kilusang Mayo Uno did not issue a statement calling on the Aquino government to reopen the case on the murder of our leader Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia and his aide Leonor Alay-ay 25 years ago; and pinning hopes on the Aquino government to bring justice on the gruesome murder.

The said statement indicated the following:

- KMU chairperson Elmer Labog expressed confidence that with the way the Aquino government is handling unsolved criminal and administrative cases under past administrations, the perpetrators of the Olalia murder will be finally brought to justice.
- “Now that the wind of justice is prevailing in the country, we expect that the long-awaited justice will finally be served for the families of Olalia and Alay-ay.”
- “Just like the Philip Pestaño case, we are confident that the government will also move for the reopening of the Olalia murder case which, hopefully, would lead to the arrest and conviction of the accused.”

We are seeking justice for the brutal murder of Ka Lando and Ka Leonor. But Aquino has not shown that he wants justice for the victims of trade-union and human rights violations. In fact political killings, the criminalization of labor leaders, the harassment of unions and many different violations continue to escalate under his term.

Those who have circulated the false statement are those who want to deceive the workers and people into thinking that there is hope for justice under Aquino. We will not let the fight for justice for our slain comrades and the struggle of workers to be used for the selfish interests of the few.

We cannot rely on Aquino for justice. The workers and people rely on our militant and organized resistance to pursue justice and ensure our rights.