Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or the New Patriotic Alliance)-Socsksargen warns of more military intervention, particularly by the 27th infantry battallion, as the negotiations for addendum to the present collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the workers under the Amado Kadena-Naflu-KMU union and the management of Dole Philippines start.
Bayan spokesperson Edward J. Flores said that the military meddled with the CBA negotiations in the past by harassing union leaders and members of support groups like Bayan itself.
“The military deployed intelligence agents inside and outside the company premises to monitor the movement of union leaders and active members. They planted their assets at almost every activity of the union. At one time in September 2006, the flags, streamers and placards placed near the strike camp put up by workers in front of the union’s office were burned downed. We believe it was a handiwork of the military and company hired goons,” Flores adds.
He also said that since 2006, the 27th IB has been conducting civil military operations and psy-ops in Polomolok, South Cotabato frameworked under Oplan Bantay Laya I & II, the Arroyo regime’s anti-insurgency campaign.
“The 27th IB has been conducting seminars and lectures to workers wherein they sow black propaganda against KMU and its leaders. They always tell the workers to disaffiliate from KMU as it is a “communist front”, and tag its leaders as NPA recruiters,” Flores continues.
Flores also added that even he himself is being accused of being lecturer to the NPA.
“The military has no business, whatsoever, interfering with any labor issues, let alone taking the side of the management if ever a labor dispute arises. It is grossly unfair for the workers who are heavily taxed to pay for the military personnel’s salaries and other expenses. The military should protect the interest of the workers and the people, not the capitalists like Dole Philippines”, Flores concludes.#
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