MANILA, Philippines — We condemn with no uncertain term the killing of Linus “Bebot” Cubol, former Caraga chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakpawis party-list coordinator, who was shot dead on November 27, in his furniture shop in Santiago, Agusan del Norte by two assailants. Killing trade union leader is an anathema to a civilized society.

“Ang pagpaslang kay Linus Cubol ay hindi dapat nangyayari sa sibilisadong lipunan,” explained by Atty. Jose Sonny Matula, chairperson of Nagkaisa (UNITED) labor coalition and presently the national president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).

Matula adds that they celebrated the birth of Andres Bonifacio last November 30 who championed the right to organize a union and the framers of the 1899 Malolos constitution placed it in the Bill of Rights now found in Sec 8, Artice III of the 1987 Constitution.

Cubol was the former president of Manila Mining Corporation workers’ union in Placer, Surigao del Norte in the 1990s.

“We call the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. We extend our solidarity and condole to his grieving family,” Atty Matula added.

Meanwhile, progressive human rights organization Karapatan is accusing agents or assets of the 29th Infantry Battalion as the suspects in the killing of Cubol.

Karapatan said a week before he was killed, intelligence agents of the 29th IB threatened and harassed him, interrogating him for his continuous participation in labor and multi-sectoral activities. ARTICLE_MOBILE_AD_CODE

But this was denied by First Lieutenant Edmar Colagong, a civil-military officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion. He said the case is still under investigation, adding that it is unfair to accuse them of the killing.

“Patunayan nila yan kung gusto nila, may batas at proseso naman patungkol diyan at handa and 29th IB humarap sa allegation, kasi wala po kaming kinalaman diyan,” Colagong said. CPM