The MacapagalArroyo
administration has stepped up its campaign of political repression throughout 2005. Arroyo is
committed to stifling political debate and is silent about the killings of dissenters. The unabated murders and assas
sinations in broad daylight, abductions and attempted killings that have victimized scores of individuals must end. Trade
Unionists, activists, progressive journalists and lawyers, progressive religious groups and any sympathisers with the Left
have all been targets of this suppression. The government is complicit in this drive to silence progressive leaders and
organizations that continues to this day.
After the Hacienda Luisita Massacre that resulted in the politically motivated murders of November 16 2004, peasant
leader and Anakpawis vicechairman
for Tarlac Marcelino Beltran was shot dead by soldiers outside his home on
December 8, 2004. Beltran was a key witness to the massacre.
On March 7, 2005, unidentified gunmen attempted to assassinate Romeo T. Capulong, President of the Public Interest
Law Center and ad litem judge of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. He had
been serving as counsel to the striking workers at Hacienda Luisita.
Another attack almost killed Bayan Muna vicemayoral
candidate, and respected human rights lawyer Charles Juloya.
He survived six gunshot wounds from a lone assassin on March 22.
On February 18, PamalakayaBulacan
vice chairman, Roger Viray, was killed in Masantol, Pampanga, Central Luzon
Aeta Association members Rodel Pelayo and Joey Abraham were slaughtered in Balanga, Bataan, and Anakpawis
Pampanga member Renato Espino was murdered in Mexico, Pampanga. Rodrigo Lampa, Bayan Muna coordinator in
Guagua, Pampanga, was killed on February 16 along with Noel and Nicanor Garcia, both members of the KMU.
On September 13, Dante Teotino of Schneider Packaging Workers Union was shot dead at the picket line of their factory while they were preparing for a symposium. On September 22, Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna, President of Nestle
Workers’ Union and PAMANTIKKMU
was shot dead in front of Sagara Plastics Manufacturing Co. A day after Ka Fort’s
burial on September 29, Victoria “Vicky” Samonte, president of the Andres Soriano College Employees Union and vice
president of KMUCARAGA
was stabbed to death.
On October 7, Rolando Mariano, former President of the Tarlac Electric Co. Employees Union and Bayan Muna Municipal Coordinator, was gunned down. On October 10, Tony Cuison, former KMU National Council member and President of
the Atlas Mining Corporation employees union in Cebu was shot by still unidentified assailants.
An initial investigations by the National Coalition for the Protection of Workers’ Rights has reported that these brutal
killings and attacks against workers are committed with the collusion of members of the Philippine National Police and
Armed Forces of the Philippines. This situation is taking the Philippines back to the time when Marcos was president and
death squads terrorised activists. This is a situation that must be stopped.
Protest against the killings in the Philippines!
Many labour groups are organising a Global Day of Action in support of Filipino Workers
Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna 1955 2005
On 22 September, Diosdado Fortuna, a trade union leader at the
large Nestlé factory in Cabuyao in the Philippines, was shot by
unidentified gunmen while he was on his way home from the factory
picket line. Fortuna was 50 years old and was an active member of
KMU National Council and served the militant labour movement for 29
years. He is survived by his wife Luz Fortuna and their three children.
Fortuna left the Nestle picket line in Cabuyao, Laguna at around
5 pm on the Sunday he was killed. Ka Fort was supposed to visit his
ailing grandson and was on board a motorcycle on his way home to
Barangay Paciano when he was attacked by still unidentified
assailants. He sustained two fatal caliber 45 gunshot wounds in the
chest. He was rushed by bystanders to the Calamba Doctors Hospital
but was pronounced dead on arrival. According to eye witnesses,
motorcycle riders fired shots at Fortuna.
Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Links
70/97 Moo 3 Tumbol Klongnueng
Klongluong, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel: 029021740
Fax: 029021810
Mob: 095172087
email: nanakornp gmail.com