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KMU NEWS RELEASE
August 5, 2003
Gov’t using state of rebellion to quash political opposition - K
The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said the government is using the state of rebellion situation to suppress political opposition from all sectors. “It’s virtually a gag order not just for dissatisfied military officers but to all sectors expressing discontent with the incumbent presidency. It’s a warrant for wanton violation of human rights and civil liberties.”
“With the state of rebellion still in effect, Malacanang could freely issue arrest warrants to opposition leaders, Arroyo’s political rivals and even militant and progressive mass leaders. At its will, the government could even conduct a witch hunt among organizations and individuals who are publicly known critics of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The state of rebellion further empowers the already repressive state.”
KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said that the arrest of Daily Tribune Editor-in-Chief Ninez Cacho-Olivares is a sheer act of political suppression. “The timing and circumstances of Olivares’ arrest is obviously politically motivated. If authorities could arrest an influential Arroyo critic like Olivares and suppress the elite political opposition, what more could the government do to ordinary citizens who are articulating their desire for Arroyo’s immediate ouster as President?”
The labor leader further said civil libertarians and leaders of the Catholic Church must convince Malacanang officials to lift the state of rebellion declaration as soon as possible. “Maintaining such state is not at all helping solve the worsening political instability. The government even becomes more vulnerable as it is showing its weaknesses and inability to handle the widening public unrest. Mrs. Arroyo’s strong republic is quickly collapsing right before her face. She enjoys very little support and confidence from the population that’s why she’s resorting to tyrannical tactics ala Marcos,” Labog concluded.
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Nationwide strike lifted
Sulpicio workers declare victory
Generoso Sasis, union president of the Sulpicio Lines and Solid Towage and Lighterage Co. (SLI/STLCI) Inc. sea-based employees said that the striking employees officially lifted their picketlines in all Sulpicio ports this morning after a negotiation ensued between the seafarers union, Unyon ng Mandaragat sa Sulpicio Lines (UMSS-ANGLO-KMU) and the management represented by its legal counsels Atty. Manuel Espina and Atty. Dante Vargas.
Sasis said that the management was forced to give in and negotiate with the union after 25 of Sulpicio’s 27 container vessels and luxury liners joined the strike and several container vans full of perishable goods were held inside various vessels.
The union and all of its striking members have agreed to lift the strike and end the two-day work stoppage after the negotiations. Effective upon the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the union and the management, they allowed all SLI/STLCI vessels to resume normal operations.
The Sulpicio management on the other hand, agreed that no retaliatory measures or harassment will be adopted against the workers and that the company will accept and allow all striking workers to report back to work on the vessels where they were assigned prior to the strike.
The shipping company also promised to settle other issues raised by the workers particularly union busting and harassment against KMU members and recognize the UMSS-ANGLO-KMU as a legitimate seafarers union at Sulpicio.
Edo Edmedorial, Secretary General of UMSS-ANGLO-KMU said that the management also agreed to address the grievances raised by the union specifically the review of suspension from work of seafarers Brigilio Corter, Elpidio Bebora, Rene Postrero, Olegario Retiza, Woodrow Inot and Dondy Alikman; to review the disembarkation of several workers who were disembarked by the Alliance of Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. “The company promised to exert efforts to help crew members who are out of work during ship repairs and dry docking by giving them preference in appointment to available vacancies whether permanent or temporary.”
Likewise, the company will also look for other measures to help the impoverished plight of Sulpicio employees. “This is an important victory not just for Sulpicio seafarers but also for all sea-based workers in other shipping lines. Our struggle will be a motivation for other seafarers to assert their just demands. We challenge the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure the implementation of the agreed provisions in the MOA,” Edmedorial conclude
