by Ding Cervantes, Emmanuel Tupas (The Philippine Star), 31 Mar 2021
MANILA, Philippines — Two leaders of progressive workers’ groups were arrested for illegal possesion of firearms and explosives in Tarlac and Pampanga yesterday.
Joseph Canlas, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas vice chairman and Anakpawis party-list vice president for Luzon, was arrested at the office of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson in Barangay Sapang Maisac in Mexico, Pampanga at about 8:30 a.m., according to KMP chairman Danilo Ramos.
Police said Canlas yielded a caliber .45 pistol, ammunition and a hand grenade.
At about the same time, Bayan-Central Luzon and Workers Alliance of Region III leader Pol Viuya was apprehended at his residence in Barangay Anupul in Bamban, Tarlac.
Canlas and Viuya were brought to Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the arrests were in compliance with the directive of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas to run after suspected enemies of the state.
The KMP demanded Canlas’ release, saying his arrest was based on ”fabricated evidence.”
The group said Canlas and Viuya were ”persistently red-tagged” by the military.
In Laguna, CIDG agents said seven rifles and handguns as well as improvised explosive devices and a grenade launcher were seized in the house of labor sector organizer Maritess Santos in Barangay Market Area in Sta. Rosa, also yesterday.
CIDG-National Capital Region director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said Santos eluded arrest.
Silvio said Santos has ties with groups with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and ”provides haven and arms stash” for the liquidation squad of the New People’s Army.
No leads
Meanwhile, police still have no leads on the killing of Dandy Miguel of the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Pamantik-KMU) in an attack by motorcycle-riding men on Sunday.
”We are still looking for the possible suspect,” Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, Laguna police spokesperson, said.
Pamantik-KMU said Miguel was among those who filed a complaint over the killing of nine activists in Calabarzon early this month.
KMU chairman Elmer Labog expressed concern that the attacks on labor leaders are ”worsening by the minute.”
Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said those responsible for the killing of labor leaders should be held accountable.
Bello expressed alarm over the reported killing of 50 union leaders since President Duterte assumed office in 2016. – Mayen Jaymalin, Rhodina Villanueva
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
