British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines

Killings of labour leaders in the Philippines intensify: Call for international solidarity from labour activists and peace-loving people in Canada urgent

October 26, 2005

In a little over one week, 5 labour leaders, activists and supporters of the Hacienda Luisita Sugar plantation workers struggle have been gunned down in Central Luzon, Philippines.

On October 25, 2005 Ricardo Ramos, president of the striking Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union was shot dead by believed to be military agents. Less than a day later, three other men, Francisco Rivera, Dr. Angel David, and Von Jon Maintini were sprayed by bullets and killed. The three men were members of the progressive party list and people’s organization Bayan Muna party list (People First Political Party) and Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance). They were staunch supporters of the Hacienda Luisita workers’ strike.

Ricardo Ramos led the Hacienda Luisita strike that began on November 6, 2004. 5,339 farm workers and 700 sugar mill workers from the Central Azucarera de Tarlac stopped work and went on the picket line. They have been demanding better working conditions and hours, decent wages, and a program of genuine land reform. Hacienda Luisita, Central Luzon, is one of the biggest sugar plantations in the country. It is owned by the Cojuangcos, the family of the former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

Last month, a total of 7 labour and progressive activists were killed from the communities of the striking workers. All of these killings happened under Colonel Jovito Palparan’s leadership of the 7th Infantry Division in Central Luzon. Col. Palparan, is known as the “Butcher of Mindoro,” where he was recently pulled out of and deployed to Central Luzon.

The BCCHRP holds Col. Jovito Palparan and his Commander in Chief, President Gloria Arroyo, responsible for these continuing acts of state violence. Arroyo continues to keep silent about these killings and has not ordered any investigations into these human rights violations. This is the very same President who has decreed that protest rallies be stopped and brutally dispersed; the very same government that has not raised any protest against death squads and the use of black propaganda against the legal democratic movement. As President, Arroyo has lost the moral ground to rule the country.

We extend our solidarity to the workers of Hacienda Luisita and all progressive individuals and organizations that are standing in solidarity with the farm workers for justice in these dark times of undeclared martial rule. We stand united with the Filipino people’s call for the ouster of President Arroyo. We join the thousands of voices that call to an end to all political killings and the repression of civil and political liberties.

We urge the Canadian government to withdraw its support for the fascist and corrupt Arroyo administration and to support the building of a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

Unions and their locals individuals in Canada have already sent their support and condemnation, but, in the face of these recent killings, more support and solidarity is needed. We urge all Canadian labour leaders, activists and peace-loving people to heighten their solidarity with the striking workers of Hacienda Luisita. and all those fighting against exploitation, oppression and state terrorism in the Philippines.#

You can support by:
- Inviting BCCHRP to provide presentations to your organization.
- Sending material support through BCCHRP (451 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1G7, bcchrp@kalayaancentre.net)
- Sending messages of solidarity to the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Labor Movement) in the Philippines at kmuid@tri-sys.com
- Sending letters of condemnation to the Philippine President at opnet@ops.gov.ph and the Labor Secretary at sto-tomopat@pacific.net.ph and copy letters to your local Philippine Consulates
- Sending letters urging the Canadian government to withdraw its support for the Arroyo administration to Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada at p.pettigrew@parl.gc.ca
- Supporting the International Campaign to Boycott Nestle Products. There has been on ongoing strike against Nestle in the Philippines for better wages and working conditions. Last September one of the strike’s labour leaders, Diosdado Fortuna, was shot dead.