URGENT APPEAL: Suspected government agents attempted to kill Laguna labor leader
10 November 2008

From the - Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR)
Rm. 702 Culmat Building 127 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Brgy. Mariana, Quezon City
Telefax: 632.411.0256 email address: ctuhr.manila@gmail.com
www.ctuhr.org

URGENT APPEAL: Suspected government agents attempted to kill Laguna labor leader

Issues: attempted killing, harassment, right to life and security, freedom of associationThe Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) writes to inform you the most recent assassination attempt to a labor leader based in Laguna.

This case further worsens the continuing assault against the labor movement. It poses extreme fear and threats to life and security among the ranks of workers and their families. Furthermore, it is most alarming especially because it happened amid the onset of new wave of crackdown against Southern Tagalog activists due to false criminal charges filed against 72 of them, including labor lawyer Remigio Saladero Jr.

Based on CTUHR previous studies, this case is similar to most cases of violation of workers rights that had taken place. This is a result of the Oplan Bantay Laya 2 aimed to dissolve not only insurgents but legal organizations as well which the government suspects as communist supporters.

(The accounts below are based on reports prepared by Pamantik-KMU)

Case details:

It was a quiet night of November 5, Wednesday; Arnold C. Cerdo, 34, was sharing stories with his brother-in-law named Juanito Dacillo at the terrace of his house at Riverside, Calamba city.

In their surprise, two men wearing bonnets and fatigue jackets arrived at around 9:30 pm. Juanito got afraid and so he shouted “may dalawang lalaking nakabonet!” (There are two men wearing bonnets!)

One of the men fired them several shots using a 45 caliber gun. Cerdo and Dacillo dropped to the ground in order to get rid of the bullets.

Eventually, Cerdo tried to get up. However, he was shocked when a bullet zipped in front of his face which could have almost killed him. They later close the doors of the house and they saw the two men running away.

Cerdo is vice-president of Sensous Union Labor Organization-Independent (SULO) and also working as staff member of the Cabuyao Workers Alliance. Part of his work was union organizing and educating workers in Cabuyao, Laguna. Cabuyao is home to multinational companies like Nestle and Asia Brewery.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemned the attack in a statement and said it was a direct assault to workers’ right to free association.

Urgent actions needed:
Write letters to public authorities calling for:

1. The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into this case of attempted killing;

2. The prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime of frustrated killing, indiscriminate firing;

3. The immediate and proper indemnification of the family/relatives of the victims; and

4. The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, including ILO conventions, thus it is bound to observe all of its provisions.

Please send a copy of your messages or any actions taken to ctuhr.manila@gmail.com

You may send your communications to:

1. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph

2. Ms. Leila De Lima
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: chr.delima@yahoo.com

mtm_rodulfo@yahoo.com

3. Deputy Director General Jesus A. Verzosa
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2724 8763
Tel: +63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
E-mail: bluetree73@gmail.com

4. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice (DoJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: agnesdeva@yahoo.com

raulgonzalez_doj@yahoo.com

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The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) is an independent NGO
based in Quezon city, Philippines, engaged in documentation & monitoring of human
rights violations committed against workers.  It conducts research, information and
supports advocacy campaign for  workers’ rights promotion and protection.
For more information, call or fax:632.4110256
or visit www.ctuhr.org