PAL tags PALEA protest camp as harassment

Philippine Airlines (PAL) branded as harassment the protest camp of PAL Employees Association at the PAL In-Flight Center, and sent out a plea for help from some of the country’s major business groups. A “more decisive response against harassment of private enterprises" is the outcome PAL hopes will result from the intervention it seeks from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other trade associations to press government. In its appeal to the business sector, PAL said, “it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect them against harassment like illegal blockades by former workers…" PAL claimed the PALEA blockade have kept its service providers and cabin crew from using the service facility in Pasay City. “The recent incident where PAL’s catering truck was blocked by protesting former workers armed with truncheons and planks with nails is one clear example of this kind of harassment seemingly tolerated by police authorities," the flag carrier said. “Continuing police inaction against all forms of harassment perpetrated by dismissed workers only served to embolden these illegal occupants of PAL’s property," PAL added. PALEA said the airline’s threat to file complaints against their members is a move meant “to divert attention from its culpability in the violent daybreak attack on the PALEA protest camp which led to the death of one bystander and injuries to seven of our members." “A criminal complaint had already been filed against a certain Johnny dela Cruz, one the alleged hired goons who were apprehended by PALEA members during the attack," PALEA said in a statement Tuesday. The statement further said, “PALEA is now consulting with its lawyers on another case against the purported mastermind of the attack." PALEA claims Dela Cruz admitted in a signed statement “he was paid together with others to dismantle PALEA’s campout." Apparently PAL’s best defense is offense," said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa. — ELR/VS, GMA News