DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A worker’s union involved in a labor dispute with Sumifru Philippines in Compostela Valley province is set to file raps against the dispersal team composed of police and soldiers for causing physical injuries and damage to properties when the group held a protest strike last October 11.
The Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyafa Farms (NAMASUFA) said it would file a case against the dispersal team for physical injuries, arson, theft, and damaged of properties after it documented several violations from among its members.
“Our members have identified their own co-workers during the dispersal even if the majority of them covered their faces. That’s why we listed it down, filed a police blotter and probably file a case against all of them” Namasufa chairman Paul John Dizon said in a press conference on Monday.
Dizon said their group identified a score of Sumifru workers who were not a member of Namafusa who who joined the dispersal team on the morning of October 11.
The names of Sumifru workers, police and military personnel who were part of the dispersal team would face criminal charges, he said, adding that Sumifru Philippines would also be held liable for the violations, if any.
Dizon said the decision to file a criminal complaint against the company and the dispersal team was a collective decision of the Namafusa members.
According to Dizon, 17 of their members were badly injured during the brutal dispersal while five workers were seriously injured after they sustained broken ribs, bruises and minor fractures in their body.
Among the reported injured and hurt was a seven-month pregnant worker of Packing Plant 115 and 50 to 60-year-old workers in Packing Plant 220 and 230.
“Let me clarify that the filing of cases against our identified co-workers who participated the dispersal is not a personal grudge against them. We are seeking justice against the unfair treatment and the violations they have committed together with the company and the state forces” said Dizon.(davaotoday.com)
