PAL protests vs protesters

Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday asserted that protesters encamped at the parking lot infront of its Inflight Center near NAIA Terminal 2 have no right to hamper the airline’s business by blocking entrances and exits of the said facility.

PAL counsel Clara de Castro said protesting former workers of PAL have been separated from the airline as of last Oct. 1.

“While they’re contesting their separation from the company, they have no right whatsoever to prevent PAL employees and designated service providers from using the Inflight Center,” she stressed.

De Castro said PAL’s Inflight Center is home to PAL’s Cabin Services Department and the former PAL kitchen which shall be taken over by its new service provider, SkyKitchen Philippines Inc.

But since Sept. 27, right after the former PAL workers’ wildcat strike, De Castro said the group of protesters have set up camp infront of the said facility and have taken upon themselves to block legitimate PAL employees and vehicles from going in and out of the premises.

“Apart from the usual heckling and other acts of harassment, the protesters have also set up barricades and an illegal ‘checkpoint.’ Drivers of PAL, its suppliers, service providers and even garbage collectors are harassed to yield to illegal inspections of their vehicles before they are allowed to enter or exit the gate,” De Castro said.

“These acts, taken together, constitute an illegal blockade of a privately-owned enterprise. They are in fact taking the law into their own hands by so doing. PAL is being prevented from performing its day-to-day business for which it will definitely sue for damages,” PAL’s counsel added.

Judge Maria Rosario Ragasa of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 108 issued an order yesterday stating that the status quo at the time of the effectivity of the temporary restraining order (TRO) be maintained.

The order further stated that protesting workers “promised not to do anything that would aggravate the present situation.”

De Castro said that if protesters are true to their word and follow the judge’s orders, they should respect PAL’s right to free and unhampered use of its own facilities.

“After all, there’s no question that PAL is the owner of the facility and the building is essential to its operations,” she stressed.

On a bigger front, De Castro said both local and foreign businessmen are closely watching developments in the PAL case. “When a mob is allowed to prevent the country’s flag carrier from freely conducting its business, how much more other smaller companies? More than just a supposed turf war between PAL and its terminated employees, this case has far wider implications for the economy and the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination,” she stressed. –Daily Tribune