RP ideal place for industrial peace, security, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured international and local labor leaders that the Philippines is an ideal place for industrial peace and security.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina made the assurance as representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO) are set to conduct an investigation on Sept. 22 to 29 regarding the killing of 92 local labor union leaders.

“We assure the international and local labor community that the Philippines continues to enjoy an ideal atmosphere for industrial peace and security for labor and industry to develop,” Espina told The STAR.

Espina said the PNP would cooperate with the investigating team of the ILO.

“We recognize the concern about some problems in the labor sector and we remain open to all possible areas of cooperation and assistance with local labor groups,” he added.

ILO representatives would meet with relatives of the victims and survivors of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and labor-related harassment.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno said representatives from the ILO in Geneva, Switzerland, in coordination with ILO Asia-Pacific, would conduct consultations with the Philippine government and workers’ organizations, and inspect two major manufacturing plants in Central and Southern Luzon.

KMU representative Elmer Labog said several factories have been turned into virtual military camps to silence union leaders while workers are charged in court and detained without due process.

ILO director Linda Wirth said the killing of labor leaders is the most serious form of harassment. –Cecile Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star)