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Benguet SP tells PNP: no violence at Lepanto picketlines

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (July 7) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here authored Resolution No.05-213 requesting the Police Regional Office through Chief Supt. Noe Wong to “exert maximum tolerance and non-violence” as it carries out its function at the month-old strike in Mankayan town here.

The resolution was passed as a result of media reports, including those from the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU), that the Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed at the labor dispute site violently dispersed the Tubo and Nayak picketlines on June 18 and 21, respectively. In the resolution, the SP recognized the union’s statement that the PNP deployment was an overkill, since the picketers never employed violence.

The SP pointed out that the “primary function of the PNP is to maintain public safety, peace and order”, and that if the allegations versus the PNP and the company in committing violence were true, then such should not be allowed.

The resolution was an expression of the provincial government’s exercise of the general welfare clause as provided for in the Local Government Code of 1991.

On July 1, medical assistance was provided for the families of the striking workers through the SP’s Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). The medical mission was enacted through the SP’s Resolution No. 05-216.

The resolution was passed following reports of the company hospital closure and the alleged non-admittance of patients related to the striking workers. Both resolutions were signed on June 27.

The LEU welcomed these developments and extended its appreciation to the SP.

Nida Tundagui of KMU-Cordillera added that the SP’s resolutions only show how broad the support is for the striking workers despite the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) Assumption of Jurisdiction order.

“After all, it is government’s responsibility to help the striking workers”, she said. # AT Bengwayan for NORDIS

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