Aquino starts breakfast meet with labor leaders

While militant labor groups began to mass up at various points in Metro Manila, President Benigno Aquino III started past 8 a.m. Sunday a breakfast meeting with "moderate" labor leaders in Malacañang. Aquino and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz presided over the meeting at the Palace, according to a report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus. Last Saturday, Baldoz said the President's meeting with several labor groups' representatives will follow a 7 a.m. program at the Palace. "May maagang breakfast dialogue si Presidente at ang mga labor leader sa Malacañang (The President will hold an early breakfast dialogue with labor leaders at the Palace)," she said in an interview on state-run dzRB radio. She said they expect 90 labor leaders representing at least 17 major labor groups to attend. Those who confirmed their attendance were the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Alliance of Filipino Workers, Alliance of Progressive Labor, and groups representing hotel and restaurant workers, the informal sector, seamen, and automotive workers. According to Baldoz, the Palace invited militant labor groups but they preferred not to join. "Yan naman nirerespeto namin (We respect their decision)." Shortly before the Palace labor meeting started, militant groups began assembling at the Mabuhay Rotonda at the boundary of Manila and Quezon City for their Labor Day protest. Some 500 militant laborers and jeep drivers prepared streamers at the area, while police personnel kept their distance, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported earlier. They were to assemble at Trabajo Market, Blumentritt and Paco in Manila, then proceed to Liwasang Bonifacio for their program. Meanwhile, a militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Sunday vowed of more protests until June 30, the anniversary of Aquino's assumption to power. It claimed the government has miserably failed protect and to listen to the needs of the workers. Labor Day security At least 10,000 police personnel and soldiers were to be deployed in key parts in the National Capital Region to secure activities for Labor Day. Earlier on Sunday, at least 200 police personnel from La Union in Northern Luzon arrived in Manila before dawn Sunday to reinforce security in vital installations on Labor Day. The police personnel from La Union arrived at the Manila Police District headquarters at 4 a.m. aboard five air-conditioned buses, radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported. According to the report, the police reinforcements were to be assigned to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang, the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard, and the Luneta Park. On the other hand, the US Embassy has been a regular target of Labor Day protests by militant groups. — LBG, GMA News