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Bike-riders kill KMU leader

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 23) — While President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo was delivering her speech in Pampanga saying “I am tired of chasing the bullies in the schoolyards…” another labor union leader was shot dead in front of a factory in Laguna province on Sept. 22, a day after the 33rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Diosdado Fortuna, president of the workers’ union in the giant Nestle Company was shot dead while on his way home to visit his sick grandchild. He sustained a gunshot wound on his chest. Nestle workers are still on strike since 2002.

According to reports from Pamantik (Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog-Katagalugan) and the national office of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno, Fortuna came from the Nestle workers’ union picket line in Canlubang, Laguna when he was shot by motorbike-riding men in front of the Sagara Factory, also in Canlubang.

Fortuna is also the chairperson of Pamantik, the regional chapter of the KMU and the regional coordinator of Anakpawis party list in Region IV.

According to Elmer Labog, KMU national chairperson, “Fortuna’s murder is politically motivated. Arroyo’s hands are bloodied once more with the assassination of Ka Fort. Given the notorious record of human rights violations and summary executions of leaders, members and activists of progressive people’s organizations in Southern Luzon and other parts of the country, we are holding the military, police, Regional Special Action Force and the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government highly accountable in the killing.”

Nestle workers have been on strike since 2002 for unfair labor practices and violations of their collective bargaining agreement by the multi-million company. The workers won their case, particularly on the retirement benefits up to the Supreme Court, but the Department of Labor and Employment still recognizes that Nestle Company has the prerogative on its decision not to grant the workers’ demand.

Meanwhile, KMU-Cordillera said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the brutal killing of Ka Fort. The Arroyo government is characterized by rampant human rights violations, suppression of labor and democratic rights.”

“The wickedness and brutality in this regime will not bend the knees of the struggling masses but will instead strengthen their determination to overthrow it”, KMU-Cordillera added. # Leonida E. Tundagui/KMU

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