Statement of Canadian Human Rights Advocates

Statement from Canadians on the murder of Diosdado Fortuna

September 27, 2005

The ink was barely dry on our statement on the 33rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines when another labour leader was felled by assassin’s bullets on September 22, 2005.

As Canadian human rights advocates, we condemn most strongly the killing of Diosdado Fortuna, chairperson of the KMU Regional chapter of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU) or the Solidarity of Workers in Southern Tagalog. Fortuna is the second labour leader killed in connection with the three-year old labour strike against Nestle Philippines in Calamba, Laguna.

The impunity of this recent killing brings to mind the unsolved murder 19 years ago of another prominent labour leader, Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonardo Alay-ay. Almost a year ago in November 16, 2004, seven striking workers of Hacienda Luisita were massacred. These are clearly an attack on the workers of the country and their basic human rights.

These killings and the recent indictment against the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) and International People’s Tribunal have confirmed that indeed, the Philippines is virtually under a ‘de facto’ martial law.

We reiterate our call to the Canadian government to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its support of the U.S.-Arroyo regime for its illegitimacy and its continuing human rights violations.

We call on our fellow Canadians to stand in solidarity with the people of the Philippines especially the striking workers and their families in their courageous and valiant struggle to obtain justice.

Justice for Diosdado Fortuna and all victims of state terrorism!
No to Martial Law!
Support the Filipino people’s call to oust Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!
A people united will never be defeated!


Statement of:
British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP)
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (OCHRP)
Philippine Network for Justice and Peace – Toronto (PNJP)
Centre for Philippine Concerns - Montreal