PNP Chief blames labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno for joblessnesses among Filipinos

By CNN Philippines Staff, Apr 29, 2019

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief rejected the tag by a labor group that called the agency “anti-worker” due to its alleged human rights violations on Monday.

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde called the Kilusang Mayo Uno’s allegation “propaganda”, further accusing the militant labor group of corrupting the minds of workers to instigate strikes and rallies.

“Binabaliktad lahat nila [They’re reversing the situation] …Propaganda ito eh[This is propaganda]. It’s the conditioning of the minds,” he described during a media briefing.

He reversed the blame on the KMU, saying they are the cause of joblessness among Filipinos.

“Bakit ba umaalis ang mga investor sa atin? Papasukin ng KMU papasukin na ‘yan iinstigate ng union and then magrarally sila. ‘Yung investor mawawalan ng gana, uuwi sa kanila. Sino mawawalan ng trabaho? E di yung mga kapwang Pilipino natin,” Albayalde said.

[Translation: Why do investors shy away from us? The KMU will enter companies and instigate unions and hold rallies. The investors will be turned off and will return to their countries. Who will lose jobs? Our fellow Filipinos.]

The KMU released a statement on Friday linking the PNP to a matrix of personalities allegedly responsible for attacking workers’ rights. Also among the tagged names and agencies were President Rodrigo Duterte, the military and Malacanang officials.

“The personalities and agencies in these matrix are colluding to perpetrate schemes and policies against Filipino workers and peoples. Duterte and his cohorts deserve our disgust, outrage and protests,” said Lito Ustarez, KMU Vice Chairperson.

The KMU came out with its diagram after Malacanang released a matrix of media personalities allegedly involved in a plot to oust Duterte. Journalists and media groups named in the supposed intelligence report shared by a foreign government have denied the allegations and called them hilarious and another ploy to harrass journalists.

The PNP chief maintained the anti-labor accusation is mere speculation. He argued it is not enough for groups to call out his personnel without revealing any specific offenses.

“These are all general terms. Napakadaling sabihin [Because it’s easy to say] ’O the PNP, the AFP [are] violating human rights.’ What rights? Give specifics! Nasaan? [Where?]” Albayalde asked.

In the PNP’s latest count, more than 5,000 people have died from “Oplan Tokhang”, the police’s flagship anti-drug campaign.

The exchange comes just days before the labor group is set to hold rallies for Labor Day on Wednesday.

The PNP said it will deploy 3,000 officers in Metro Manila to secure areas during the protests.