DOLE investigating 'attack' on PALEA picket

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is investigating the alleged picket-line attack staged by supposedly hired goon against protesters from the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA), Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Wednesday. The incident, which took place in the morning of Oct. 29, reportedly injured seven PALEA members and led to the unconfirmed death of a security guard who was supposedly suffocated by tear gas. “We strongly deplore the attack on the PALEA picket line by alleged hired goons on the early morning of October 29, 2011, which resulted [in] the injury of at least seven PALEA members and one unconfirmed casualty, a PAL security guard who got suffocated allegedly due to tear gas," Baldoz said in a statement. She added that the alleged attack was “uncalled for," as she requested the police to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters. "We also reiterate our earlier call for sobriety on the part of PAL management and the PALEA," Baldoz said. “We also call for the conduct of a swift and fair investigation to determine the truth behind this unfortunate incident." — PE/VS, GMA News