Workers doubt the PNP's impartiality on labor killings investigations

Kilusang Mayo Uno Spokesperson Mr. Prestoline Suyat today said that their group is doubtful that the Philippine National Police (PNP) can conduct an impartial investigation on the spates of killings of unionists and labor leaders.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has called on the PNP's impartial investigation in response to the probe of labor-related killings through a fact-finding mission of foreign labor advocates and unionists through the International Labor Solidarity Mission (ILSM). The ILSM conducted its mission from May 2-5 on different cases of documented labor killings around the country.

"Hindi puwede na PNP ang magsasagawa ng imbestigasyon dahil ang mga taga-PNP at military mismo ang involved sa mga pagpaslang." insisted Suyat. An average of three workers is killed each month due to labor disputes and political reasons since Sept 25 until April this year according to data of Center of Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR).

Among the fallen trade union leaders were Nestle union president Diosdado Fortuna, Central Azucarera de Tarlac union president Ricardo Ramos, transport leader Federico De Leon and several organizers from the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Negros .

The ILSM found out that most of the cases of labor killings happened in broad daylight where the military, police and /or their agents are implicated in the killings. In a most recent case of attempted killing, the hooded assailant was unmasked as a senior police officer, the group said. The ILSM is referring to the ambush of Gerardo Cristobal, a former president of EMI Yazaki workers union in Imus, Cavite . One of his three assailants was later identified as SPO1 Romeo Lara.

Suyat likewise expressed dismay that the labor department should only now issue a statement on labor killings, "Sa tingin ko, pinapalabas ng DOLE na ignorante ito sa labor killings lalo na si Sec. Patricia Sto. Tomas na walang kahihiyang nanahimik sa mga pagkalagas sa aming hanay. Tulad ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ang pananahimik ay nangangahulugan ng pagkatig sa mga pamamaslang sa mga unyonista."

Sincerity on investigations, not only lip service

The KMU spokesperson also said that if the labor department is sincere and not only doing a lip service on investigating the labor killings and rampant violations of workers and trade union rights, then it should incorporate independent bodies on the investigations to ensure no whitewash on cases will be done.

Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, in a statement, said that workers should not be denied their basic rights such as the right to form union and the right to strike and, instead, afforded with proper working conditions.

"Kung totoo ang sinasabi niyang ito, dapat na itigil na ng ahensya ang paggamit sa Assumption of Jurisdiction sa mga nagwewelgang manggagawa na nagbibigay ng authority sa pulis at militar na makialam sa welga katulad ng naganap sa Hacienda Luisita. Nagaganap din ang pakikialam sa mga unyon sa Bulacan tulad sa Robina Farms kung saan pinipilit ng militar ang mga manggagawa na mag-disapilyado sa KMU" Suyat said.

The KMU also calls on the the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to swiftly act on the escalating labor killings. The group said it will also solicit the help of the Church.