Workers’ Rights Trampled Upon by GMA’s Total War
64 labor leaders and unionists slain since 2001

The Arroyo regime’s “total war” is not only victimizing progressive party lists, lawyers, church workers, teachers, students, and peasants.  It is also victimizing workers who are peacefully exercising their union rights as the experience of the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Console Farms (SAMACOFA or the Union of Workers at Console Farms) in Central Luzon would show.

BY MAUREEN HERMITANIO
Contributed to Bulatlat

The Arroyo regime’s “total war” is not only victimizing progressive party lists, lawyers, church workers, teachers, students, and peasants.  It is also victimizing workers who are peacefully exercising their union rights.  Sixty four labor leaders and unionists have been killed since 2001.  Fifteen were from Central Luzon. 

As more troops are deployed in Central Luzon, numbering 10,000 soldiers as of the last count, even workers peacefully exercising their trade union rights are harassed.   

Military takeover of union activities

A fact-finding mission (FFM) composed of 200 persons from the Center of Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), National Coalition for the Protection of Workers Rights (NCPWR), Religious of Good Shepherd Sisters and various unions and federations from Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1^st Movement) went to Bulacan, on Sept. 12, to investigate reports of harassments of workers at Console Farms. The FFM team had to pass through two military checkpoints on their way to the farm.

The situation was tense as the team arrived at the area. Heavily armed military men were stationed at the barangay hall.  But as several union members and workers of Console Farms related their experiences, earlier reports of infringement of union rights and harassments of workers were confirmed.   

According to the workers, the frequent visits of soldiers at Console Farms began last November 2005, two months after Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan was deployed as commanding officer of the 7^th Infantry Division operating in Central Luzon. The soldiers conducted a census of the workers and residents in the farm.  They also convened weekly union meetings where the workers were required to report all their union activities.

Workers and union officers were also visited by soldiers at their homes. They were subjected to interrogations and mental torture during these visits.

The military also "requested" them to elect a temporary president for their union, the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Console Farms (SAMACOFA or the Union of Workers at Console Farms), and to disaffiliate from their federation, the Alliance of Nationalists and Genuine Labor Organizations (ANGLO), which is affiliated with the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1^st Movement).

The CTUHR received reports that most of the union officers have resigned from their work in the factory because of these harassments.

Reynaldo Pizon, acting union vice-president, said that 11 soldiers once visited him at his house and accused him of letting NPA (New People’s Army) guerillas sleep in his hut. "Hindi na namin magawa ang mga trabaho sa unyon. Masyadong mahigpit ang sitwasyon ngayon," (We could not do our union work.  The situation is too hot. ) said Francis Paraon, union treasurer. The military is also “encouraging” the union to refrain from asking for higher wages and benefits from management.

Earning only an average of P190 ($3.78 at an exchange rate of $1= P50.26) daily, the workers said that their wages are usually delayed and they don’t receive enough benefits even though most of them have worked at Console Farms for over a decade.

Another resident who asked not to be named said, “Noong miniting kami, nagbanta sila na hwag tutulong sa NPA kundi papatayin nila. Wala kaming magagawa, papatay talaga sila. Gagawin talaga nila yon kapag sumuway sa kanilang kagustuhan.” (In one of the meetings presided by the military, they threatened us not to extend assistance to the NPA otherwise we would be killed.  We really cannot do anything because they really kill people.  They will no hesitate to kill you if you go against their wishes.

Paraon said that he personally experienced being harassed by the military.  Soldiers took him from the farm on Dec. 28 last year. He was interrogated by five military men who wore civilian clothes. "Alam mo Francis, kung nagsisinungaling ka, pwede kitang patayin sa bahay niyo!"(You know Francis, if you lie to us, we could easily kill you inside your own home.), Paraon quoted one of his abductors.

He was asked regarding the whereabouts of NPA guerillas."May kasamang pananakot at paninindak. Naglagay pa sila ng alas sa mesa. Akala ko nga totortyurin na ako. Ang gusto nilang mangyari, mayron [akong] ituturo na tao kahit di ko alam" (I was threatened.  They even placed an ace of cards on the table.  I thought I would be tortured.  They wanted me to finger anybody even if I don’t know anything.), he said.

CTUHR Executive Director Daisy Arago said that at Console Farms there is virtually a military takeover of the union. "Out of fear, some workers in the farm refused to talk to us as the military warned that their lives will be endangered if they interact and cooperate with ‘communists’. It took a while before workers of Console and residents within the area agreed to talk to FFM participants," she said.

Arago added that the deployment of more military troops in the region caused complete disrespect of human rights of innocent people, non-combatants or non-insurgents. "The military and the Arroyo government said that they are there to uphold the constitutional and inherent rights of the people although what has been happening for the past years and months is entirely the opposite," she said.

Barangay Defense System

Members and union officers were also forced to join the Barangay (village) Defense System or BDS. As members of the BDS, they are required to help the military in the information drive against the insurgency and to report directly to Lt. Col. Noel Clement, commanding officer of the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. One of the workers said, "Nagbuo ng barangay defense system mula sa mga manggagawa at residente. Miyembro ako ng BDS kahit labag sa kalooban ko." (They organized a village defense system from the workers and residents.  I am a member of the BDS even if it is against my will.)

Complicity

Workers confirmed that the management of Console Farms allows the military to freely roam within the farm. “Minsan sa isang linggo pumapasok sila sa poultry at humihingi ng manok pang-ulam. Madalas din ang patawag ng miting. Kapag natatakot ang mga manggagawa, ang management ang nagpapatawag sa manggagawa para kausapin ng military. May kaso na kapag pinapatawag at di sumipot, niratrat ng militar ang bahay" (Once a week soldiers enter the poultry farm and ask for chickens for their meals.  They also call for a meeting.  Whenever the workers do not attend the meetings out of fear, the management calls the workers to talk with the military.  There were times when soldiers fire their guns at the houses of workers who refuse to attend the meetings.), one of the workers said.

When the FFM team held a dialogue with officials of the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) regarding the reported harassments, the latter said they could not do anything about it. DoLE Region 3 representative Efren Reyes said that the cases of "military intrusion" at Console and Robina are beyond their jurisdiction.  He said that they can only act on cases of disputes between workers and management.

Elmer Labog, KMU chairperson, castigated the DoLE for failing to act on the cases of harassments and the "military takeover" of Console Farms. "Expectedly, the DoLE is inutile to stop these wanton violations of human and union rights and unfair labor practices. It seems they are waiting for this issue to get nationwide attention before they act like in the case of the Hacienda Luisita massacre. The DoLE is without pretensions on its inability to protect workers from the intense militarization in Region 3," Labog said.

LGU officials promise to act

Even before going to the farm, the FFM went to the office of the governor of Bulacan in Malolos (44 kms north of Manila). They were met by Raul Mendoza, head of the Bulacan Committee on Labor and Human Rights and Provincial Board Member Patrocinio Laderas. Representatives from the Commission on Human Rights were also there.

When asked if the local government can pass a resolution ordering the military to pull out from Barangay Sta. Ines where Console farms is located, Mendoza said that they will do what is necessary to act on complaints of military harassment and interference in Console Farm’s union activities.

KMU said they are planning to file complaints before the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding the plight of the workers of Console Farms. Bulatlat

© 2006 Bulatlat ■  Alipato Media Center

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