KMU seeks CHR, UN help in labor leader's killing in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and International Labor Organization (ILO) to help solve the killing of a labor leader in Cavite province Monday. In a statement posted on its website, KMU chairman Elmer Labog condemned the killing of Gerry Cristobal and sought justice for the rising number of extra-judicial killing of labor leaders. "The Arroyo government's lip service at professing concern yet glaring inaction about the continuing extra-judicial murder of labor activists and leaders must have emboldened the killers to strike and kill anew," Labog said. He noted the KMU had previously filed a request in ILO to press the Arroyo government to act against the killings. ILO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. Labog noted the Cavite police's implication in an earlier attempt on Cristobal's life, noting that on April 28, 2006, he was shot and seriously wounded by SPO1 Romeo Lara of the intelligence division of the Imus police station. Lara, who was also wounded in the failed murder, denied it and said Cristobal was the one who tried to kill him. Cristobal was past president of the union in Japanese semiconductor firm EMI-Yazaki and an official of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW). Another attempt at Cristobal's life was staged 10 months later when on February 9, 2007, two motorcycle-riding men fired three shots at Cristobal but failed to kill him. On Monday morning, Labog said whoever tried to kill Cristobal succeeded. Labog also questioned the police's claim that Cristobal was shot due to a "traffic altercation." "Just like its chief in the person of Gloria Arroyo, the police is stretching our credulity," said Labog. Labog dared the Arroyo government and Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr to denounce the spate of killing of labor leaders and activists and announce in no uncertain terms that "trade unions are actually expressions of democracy and not of terrorist organizations or terrorism." "As long as unions are regarded by the Arroyo government and its military and police force as threats or enemies in their 'war on terror,' then it's really no brainer to point the accusing finger at them every time a labor leader was summarily killed or abducted," he said. - GMANews.TV