TUCP asks government to double-efforts in unmasking masterminds behind murder of labor leaders

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) today urged the government to double its efforts in finding out who are responsible for the deaths of union leaders in the past and recent periods.

The TUCP stressed that the killings is giving a negative picture of the country to the international trade union movement and human rights associations. TUCP said that it has received several inquiries from international trade union organizations about the killings.

The TUCP called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Justice Department to ensure that the masterminds in the killing of union leaders are unmasked and made to face the criminal justice system.

In a celebrated case last year, Ric Ramos, president of the one of the unions in Hacienda Luisita was killed on October 25 days after the Labor Department made a ruling on the dispute between the union and the owners of Hacienda Luisita.

TUCP also disclosed that in the 1980’s a good number of its national and local leaders were killed by suspected communist assassins and up to now, no one has been made to account for the murders.

Among those killed from TUCP were Executive Vice President Aurelio Intertas, who was stabbed to death in Tondo; Regional Vice President Venerando Briones who shot in front of the TUCP offices in Quezon City; and Regional Vice President Maximo Nunez who was shot after attending a CBA negotiation in Davao.

“Whether they were killed in connection with their trade union activities or for their political beliefs, or whether they were killed by the military as claimed by some members of leftist organizations, by communist hitmen, or by paid assassins, those responsible for such acts should be made to face the law at the soonest possible time, TUCP added.

TUCP reiterated its position that an attack against anyone pursuing labor rights and genuine trade union objectives is an assault against the whole trade union movement.