Harassed Maragusan workers get support from Compostela unions

MARAGUSAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY� In the midst of threats to their lives and security, union workers in the municipality of Compostela hooked up with workers in this town during an interfaith peace mission.

The event was part of a region-wide Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission conducted by the Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) along with other peace advocates in five areas gravely affected by militarization: Maragusan and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, Banganga and Lupon in Davao Oriental and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

Workers unite! This was the unifying call of workers coming from four unions across Southern Mindanao who recently paid a visit to the members of the Maragusan United Workers Union (Muwu) in their community and had a solidarity night spearheaded by the EJP and Anakpawis partylist.

Members of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Osmiguel (Namaos), Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa San Jose (Namasan), Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa farms (Namasufa) and Packing Plant 92 Workers Union (PPWU) — all affiliated with the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Naflu-KMU), unanimously vowed to support Muwu members and help campaign for the pull-out of military troops and the military-backed labor group Workers for Industrial Peace and Economic Reforms also known as Wiper.

Muwu members have complained of being harassed by the elements of the 66th IB and the Wiper when the soldiers conducted pulong-pulong (meeting) and film showing. Along with workers of Dole Banana Growers in Maragusan, Muwu was tagged as a supporter of New People�s Army.

�Ang ginabuhat nila karon sa MUWU mao pud ang gibuhat nila sa among unyon nga maoy pinakaunang gisudlan og Wiper (What they are doing to Muwu are the same things that they did to our union, which was the first one infiltrated by Wiper),� said Cirila Anding, Namaos union president. Anding related that Wiper and soldiers under the 66th IB conducted meetings with the packing plants of Compostela and accused the KMU as NPA-backed.

Anding was also a victim of political harassment, having experienced heavy surveillance by the military earlier this year.

�We will undergo many kinds of threats. The military will indeed create various ways to shake us but we should not be scared because what we are doing is correct and just and there are many unions together with Anakpawis and other sectors of society that are always ready to help us�, Anding expressed during the gathering attended by almost a hundred workers and members of the EJP.

Meanwhile, Anakpawis provincial coordinator and Pantukan Barangay Kagawad Belen Galleto expressed belief that the solidarity night provides a valuable service not only to Maragusan but all unions in Compostela Valley. �Busa, padayon kaming nagapakusog sa panaghiusa sa among han-ay ug dugang pang pakig-alyansa sa uban pang progresibong grupo ug organisasyon sa mga mamumuo. (Thus, we will continue to strengthen and unite our ranks and align ourselves with progressive groups and with workers organizations.)�

Galleto called on her fellow workers to note the names and units of soldiers who conduct threats and rights violations and to report the incidents to the police for records purposes and allow authorities to make appropriate action.

�If we do not act on this, who will act? We cannot depend on anything but our own strength and unity to stop large capitalists and the military who are puppies that continuously exploit us and violate our rights,� Galleto concluded.

For reference:

Belen Galleto
Compostela Valley Coordinator
Anakpawis Partylist
Mobile number, 0916-383-5854

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