Workers, transport and urban poor sectors lead major activities for alternative 'Summit" in Cebu

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said its all systems go for the upcoming daily protests against the 12th ASEAN Summit hosted by the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government."We enjoin all Cebuanos, especially workers, to join the festival of protests vs. the U.S. backed ASEAN Summit. Huwag tayong magpadala sa pananakot ng militar at gobyerno. Let's unite and show our resistance to imperialist terror and plunder." (Dili ta magpahadlok sa militar ug gobyerno. Magkahiusa ta ug ipakita ang atong pagbatok sa imperyalistang panghadlok ug panamastamas.)

"No one and nothing can stop us from protesting and expressing our legitimate issues specially concerns of workers, drivers and urban poor people affected by the Arroyo government's costly ASEAN activities. Not even Governor Gwen Garcia's threats of arrests against activists can discourage us from conducting protests against the Summit," said KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod.

Maglunsod said they are preparing for a nine-day series of activities from December 6-14. "We will join international conferences and lead various protests activities like city-wide motorcade, fluvial parade, noise barrage, concerts, cultural performances and other activities."

KMU is preparing for a counter-conference against the ASEAN Business Advisory Council's (BAC) Business and Investment Summit (BIS) that will take place at Cebu Waterfront Hotel on December 7-10. "Employers and business groups convening this year's Business and Investment Summit are expected to further propose exploitative labor measures to the 16 heads of states attending the Summit. BIS Organizing Committee Chairman Donald Dee is a tried and tested adversary of workers.

The ASEAN BAC's thrust of market integration will spell out more problems for Filipino workers – low wages, labor contractualization and trade union repression.

Workers slam rerouting scheme, militarization

The labor group supported local Cebu transport organization Nagkahiusang Samahan ng mga Drayber sa Sugbo or NADSU opposition to the re-routing and road closure scheme proposed for the ASEAN Summit. "The rerouting scheme will affect drivers and commuters. Despite the lifting of the 4-day holiday proposal, workers and drivers are expected to lose income because of the troublesome and inconvenient rerouting proposal," Maglunsod said.

He also condemned heightened military presence in many barangays in Cebu, Mandaue and Mactan cities. "The zoning activities in urban poor communities are done to harass residents who are expected to join the local protests against the ASEAN. Maglunsod opposed the military's head counting of residents as well as blocking of entrance and exit
points in various barangays."

KMU, PISTON, KADAMAY, AMA SUGBO, NADSU and PANAGHUGPONG will hold a press conference tomorrow to officially announce the schedule of activities and highlights of the protests for the ASEAN Summit.