MANILA, Philippines — Edsel Ampusta Relota: “Unionism is not a crime, it is a constitutional right of every filipino under the labor code, the right to self organization. Wag hayaang yurakan ang karapatan bilang malayang mangagawa. Lumaban at mag organisa para sa makataong paggawa.”

Ed Tadem: “This is a criminal act. Charges should be filed against the management of PLLC and MEPZ as well.”

Nick Elman: “We should point our finger to Sec. Bello, and blame him about the incident…He has the overall responsibility over the same… BEBOT BELLO RESIGN!!!”

Jeremy Orcino Cajiuat: “Prelude to something worse. Martial law na talaga ulit.”

This are the mixed reaction of netizens on social media after the Management of Philippine Light Leather Corp. (PLLC), a German-owned company posted the names and pictures of the terminated employees at the gates and administration building of the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Cebu City last 17 June 2018 (Sunday) with a sign… WANTED!

According to the duty guard, the employees apparently violated the strict policy of the company by forming a union which is illegal inside the Economic Zone.

The trade unionist that was branded by PLLC and MEPZ as WANTED are Myra Opada, Luzelie Gesta, and Aurelia Parangan. But the three employees already filed a case against the PLLC Management, this includes union busting, unfair labor practice (ULP), and illegal dismissal.

Meanwhile, Rene Magtubo of Partido Manggagawa (PM) condemns the inhuman acts of PLLC and the MEPZ authorities in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City. He said the Management move is patently illegal and anti-labor.

“We demanded that the posters be removed immediately and calls on MEPZ workers not to be intimidated by this kind of harassment from their employers and MEPZ authorities,” Magtubo said.

On the other hand, PALEA President and Partido Manggagawa member Gerry Rivera see’s the move of the PLLC & MEPZ Management as an act of cowardice. He said the Management are fear of unionist because once they have formed the union, there will be a check and balance and that workers harassment will be minimized especially in the workplace.

“Malinaw ang dahilan ng paglagay nila ng mga pangalan at larawan ninyo bilang WANTED! Takot ang nararamdadan ng mga may pakana! Dahil sa inyong pakikibaka! May epekto ang pagtindig ninyo para isulong ang mga karapatan ng mga manggagawa!” Rivera narrated.

Rivera also added, “Kailangan natin ng mga matatapang, mapagmahal at madunong na mga lider na tulad ng mga nasa larawan. Mabuhay kayo mga kasama! Saludo po ako sa kagitingan ninyo!” CPM