DOLE denies role in Task Force Lepanto 05-09-11

	NORDIS WEEKLY September 11, 2005
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DOLE denies role in Task Force Lepanto
MANKAYAN, Benguet (Sept. 5) — The acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Manuel G. Imson issued a letter addressed to the chairman of DINTEG (Cordillera Indigenous People’s Legal Center) Board of Directors Atty. Jose Mencio Molintas clarifying that they had nothing to do with the creation of Task Force Lepanto (TFL), and that was formed by the local law enforcement agency. This is the agency’s response to DINTEG’s letter dated August 8, 2005 expressing concern over the violent dispersals, illegal arrests, destruction of properties and harassments carried out by the Task Force Lepanto headed by Col. Ernesto Gaab and Police Chief Inspector Brent Madjaco of the 1064th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Benguet Philippine National Police (PNP) against the striking workers of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) and their families. The letter stated that any public safety issue is handled by concerned law enforcement and local government agencies. In an inquiry of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet last August 22 regarding the incidents at the picket lines in Mankayan, TFL head Col. Gaab under Benguet PNP Chief Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag claimed that the PNP was deputized by the DOLE to ensure peace and order in the mines. The letter also reiterated the legality of the dismissal of the 19 officers of the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) saying that it is pending at the National Labor Relations Commision (NLRC) for adjudication. The letter also stated that DOLE regional director is constantly in contact with the management of LCMC and representatives of LEU to ensure open communication lines and to encourage both parties to continue negotiations for possible settlement. Meanwhile, Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera (KMU-Cordillera) spokesperson James Tulipa lambasted the Benguet PNP for not disclosing the truth about their presence in Mankayan. “It is clearly stated in the DOLE letter that they (PNP) were not really deputized by DOLE to form Task Force Lepanto and carry out dispersals. They are simply there to guard the interest of the Lepanto management by quelling the legitimate struggles of the Lepanto workers”, added Tulipa. LEU president Ninian Lang-agan expressed disgust with the members of the PNP for being anti-worker and anti-people. “Apay ngay nga dagiti koma pulis a mangsalaknib kadatayo a babassit nga agbaybayad ti buwis nga isu ti paggapgapuan dagiti suwelsuwelduen da ti kangrunaan pay a mangdangran?” (Why is the PNP who should be protecting us poor who pay taxes where their salaries are coming from the one hurting us?), lamented Lang-agan. The workers are still on their strike for more than three months since June 2. # Public Information Desk-Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera
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	NORDIS WEEKLY September 11, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
DOLE denies role in Task Force Lepanto
MANKAYAN, Benguet (Sept. 5) — The acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Manuel G. Imson issued a letter addressed to the chairman of DINTEG (Cordillera Indigenous People’s Legal Center) Board of Directors Atty. Jose Mencio Molintas clarifying that they had nothing to do with the creation of Task Force Lepanto (TFL), and that was formed by the local law enforcement agency. This is the agency’s response to DINTEG’s letter dated August 8, 2005 expressing concern over the violent dispersals, illegal arrests, destruction of properties and harassments carried out by the Task Force Lepanto headed by Col. Ernesto Gaab and Police Chief Inspector Brent Madjaco of the 1064th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Benguet Philippine National Police (PNP) against the striking workers of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) and their families. The letter stated that any public safety issue is handled by concerned law enforcement and local government agencies. In an inquiry of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet last August 22 regarding the incidents at the picket lines in Mankayan, TFL head Col. Gaab under Benguet PNP Chief Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag claimed that the PNP was deputized by the DOLE to ensure peace and order in the mines. The letter also reiterated the legality of the dismissal of the 19 officers of the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) saying that it is pending at the National Labor Relations Commision (NLRC) for adjudication. The letter also stated that DOLE regional director is constantly in contact with the management of LCMC and representatives of LEU to ensure open communication lines and to encourage both parties to continue negotiations for possible settlement. Meanwhile, Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera (KMU-Cordillera) spokesperson James Tulipa lambasted the Benguet PNP for not disclosing the truth about their presence in Mankayan. “It is clearly stated in the DOLE letter that they (PNP) were not really deputized by DOLE to form Task Force Lepanto and carry out dispersals. They are simply there to guard the interest of the Lepanto management by quelling the legitimate struggles of the Lepanto workers”, added Tulipa. LEU president Ninian Lang-agan expressed disgust with the members of the PNP for being anti-worker and anti-people. “Apay ngay nga dagiti koma pulis a mangsalaknib kadatayo a babassit nga agbaybayad ti buwis nga isu ti paggapgapuan dagiti suwelsuwelduen da ti kangrunaan pay a mangdangran?” (Why is the PNP who should be protecting us poor who pay taxes where their salaries are coming from the one hurting us?), lamented Lang-agan. The workers are still on their strike for more than three months since June 2. # Public Information Desk-Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera
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