Tag Archives: Arrests

[Action Alert] Two members of the labor organization, BMP, arrested by the PNP after staging a Labor Day protest action allegedly for violation of the ECQ rules

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Action Alert
May 1, 2020
(Philippines) Two members of the labor organization, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after staging a Labor Day protest action allegedly for violation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) rule against social gathering and Republic Act 11332 or the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases in Rodriguez, Rizal

Dear Friends,

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal for the PNP not to file charges against members of BMP for taking part in the observance of the International Labor Day.

ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT

Reynaldo Dulay and Clarito Rastica, both BMP members, were arrested by members of the PNP after taking part in a protest action in relation to the international Labor Day celebration in their area in San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

Based on the report, Dulay and Rastica, along with other members of the organization, conducted a small protest activity to demand mass testing, adequate food and social amelioration, and paid quarantine leave and hazard pay for workers in San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. A video of the event posted in social media showed the protesters following the requirement of social distancing and wearing of face masks. However, the police arrived and allegedly started arresting the protesters. Dulay and Rastica were the two persons accosted for alleged violation of the prohibition of social gathering during the ECQ.

Based on the information from some BMP members, Dulay and Rastica were brought to the Ynares Memorial Hospital for check-up, as part of the Standard Operating Procedure of the police upon a person’s arrest.

As of this writing, TFDP is trying to get in touch with Dulay and Rastica to gather more information.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution states in Article 3, Section 4 that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please write a letter to the following authorities for them to reconsider the filing of charges against Dulay and Rastica for their actions are covered by the rights of persons to peaceably assemble. The organization maintains that they followed protocols of social distancing and wearing of face masks to ensure the safety of its members and the public as well.

Please ask the authorities to ensure in all circumstances, especially in the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine during the COVID 19 Pandemic, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, international human rights standards and international instruments signed and ratified by the Philippines.

Please send your letters to:

1. His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte
President, Republic of the Philippines
New Executive Building, Malacanang Palace Compound
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
1005 Philippines
Tel: +632 87368645; +632 87368603; +632-87368606; +632-87368629; +632-87368621
Telefax: +632 87368621
E-mail: pcc@malacanang.gov.ph

2. Hon. Menardo Guevarra
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila
1000 Philippines
Tel: +632 85218348
Telefax: +632 85262618
Trunk line: +632 85238481 loc 217
Email: osecmig@gmail.com, communications@doj.gov.ph

3. Hon. Eduardo Aňo
Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tel: +632 89250330; +632 89250331
Fax: +632 89250332
Trunk line: +632 88763454 loc 1001
Email: emano@dilg.gov.ph

4. Hon. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +632 89285655; +632 89266188
Telefax: +632 89290102
Email: chairgascon.chr@gmail.com

5. PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa
Philippine National Police
PNP National Headquarters
Camp General Crame, EDSA
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1100
Tel: +632 87230401; +632 87220650 local 3453/3473

6. Mayor Dennis Hernandez
Office of the Mayor
Rodriguez Municipal Hall
J.P. Rizal St., Rodriguez, Rizal
bayanngrodriguez@yahoo.com

Source:
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/736404/observing-social-distancing-bukluran-members-rally-on-labor-day/story/

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[From the web] Labor group condemns arrest of PUP student leader -PM

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Labor group condemns arrest of PUP student leader

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) condemns the arrest of Rexon Aumentado, a PUP student leader and a volunteer in helping students stranded in PUP dorms when ECQ was declared on March 16.

Aumentado was detained at PCP #8 in Sta. Mesa Manila since yesterday is waiting for inquest proceeding at the city prosectors office today.

A post on the Facebook page of the student group, PUP SPEAK, disclosed that Aumentado, an engineering student, was arrested Saturday afternoon while on his way to the market to buy food for stranded PUP students. He was charged for violation of quarantine protocols and falsification of public documents.

The student group, however, claims that contrary to PCP #8’s report, Aumentado is authorized to go out as he carries valid and legitimate Home Quarantine Pass (HQP) verified by Barangay 587.

Apparently, it was Barangay 587 who made a mistake in issuing double-entry HQP. Barangay officials made an official representation to certify the mistake but police officers rejected their appeal.

Prior to the apprehension, Aumentado serves as a volunteer in aiding stranded dormers and service workers. Together with other volunteers, he also feeds cats within PUP vicinity.

“We call for Aumentado’s immediate release as helping fellow students in distress is not a criminal offense but rather a commendable act of bayanihan. The defense of his rights before a police officer is neither a crime,” said Judy Miranda, PM Secretary-General.

Miranda said the arrest of Aumentado is sending a wrong signal to volunteers who are willing to work side by side with our front liners in helping stranded people.

“It also gives the impression that persons in similar circumstances may be suspected as ‘lawless elements’ by security forces who rule the streets now in a martial law manner,” said Miranda.

She called on the government to implement a more humane response to this pandemic to avoid violating the rights of many people.

#FreeRexonAumentado
#MakataongTugonHindiMilitarisasyon

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[Press Release] Labor group calls for release of detained Cebu union leader -PM

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Labor group calls for release of detained Cebu union leader

The militant Partido Manggagawa (PM) today called for the release of the detained union president of Copper Corp. in Toledo City, Cebu as his petition for bail is heard today. Tony Cuizon, president of the Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper (PAMCC-AGLO), is currently detained at the Toledo city jail after he was arrested last October 25 in Cavite on the strength of warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives. He has filed an urgent motion for bail that is being heard today in Toledo.

pmLogo1

Renato Magtubo, PM national chairperson, appealed for the release of Cuizon, a PM national council member, on humanitarian grounds as he is sickly and advanced of age. “A politician gets the privilege of hospital arrest and a US soldiers gets special treatment but a worker, even if ill and elderly, has to endure the bad conditions of a city jail for more than a month now,” he added.

Dennis Derige, PM-Cebu spokesperson, stated that on Cuizon’s first day at the Toledo jail, the latter had a high blood attack and was only brought to a clinic. “Cuizon is a senior citizen who suffers from severe hypertension, diabetes and arthritis, arguably work-related illnesses borne out of decades working in the copper mines of Toledo,” he explained.

Magtubo argued that the arrest warrants, criminal cases and police raids were in violation of existing guidelines in the conduct of police during labor disputes. PM insists that the warrants were flawed since they were the product of illegal raids conducted in March 2013 on the PAMCC office, and the houses of Cuizon and the union treasurer. The union avers that the firearms and a grenade allegedly found in the raid at the PAMCC office were planted by the police.

“Once again the Philippines rivals Colombia as the most dangerous place for unionists with numerous cases of labor leaders killed, injured or harassed. Cuizon’s arrest and incarceration illustrates the double standard of justice in our country,” Magtubo stated.

Derige averred that “The arrest of Ka Tony is part of Carmen Copper management’s continuing effort to bust the genuine union at the mine and leave the workers defenseless in the face of attempts to downgrade wages and benefits, and impose contractualization among mine workers. The police and the courts are being used as instruments of capitalists.”

Derige explained that Cuizon’s arrest followed on the heels of the decertification of PAMCC as the sole and exclusive bargaining union at the mine, and the formation of a management-backed yellow union.

Carmen Copper has recently been hit by spate of labor disputes as mine workers resist corporate attacks on working conditions. Last February, PAMCC filed a notice of strike for management’s unfair labor practices and violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Also this year, workers contracted to haul and dispose of Carmen Copper’s mine wastes were derailed in forming a union because of the intervention of the huge manpower contractor Asiapro but the case remains pending at the Labor Department. Unions have condemned Asiapro as an illegal labor-only contractor.

Press Release
November 25, 2014
Partido Manggagawa
Contact Dennis Derige @ 09335142179

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