Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

VTHC welcomes Philippines activists

Philippine union leader Angelina Ladera addressed the VTHC Executive on Friday 11 August to explain the situation there. She told of the extrajudicial killings that have taken place there since the election of the Macapagal-Arroyo Government in 2001.
Angelina was in Melbourne on an international solidarity tour to inform networks of the situation in her home country. Prior to Angelina's visit, Trades Hall was proud to host a public forum featuring herself and other prominent Philippine activists who spoke of the extrajudicial killings and persecution taking place in their country.

Angelina Ladera (4th from left) and Joel Virador (centre) visit the VTHC

Parliamentary member, Joel Virador, and union leader, Angelina Ladera, told of the attacks upon opponents of the government and the Impeachment Case that has been filed against Gloria Arroyo.
Observers believe elements within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) could be behind the killings which have targeted left-leaning organisations.
Over 700 people in the Philippines have been killed since President Gloria Arroyo came to power in 2001. The victims are people who have made some kind of case against the government include trade unionists, human rights advocates, priests and church workers, journalists, lawyers and community leaders.
The Philippines are considered to be the second most dangerous country for journalists after Iraq. 47 have been killed since Arroyo came to power.
Many of the victims of the political killings belong to Joel Virador’s political party, the Bayan Muna group, which he represents in parliament. Since 2001as many as 116 of its local members have been killed.
Joel is one of five members of the House of Representatives to take refuge in the Parliament after being charged with rebellion against the government for calling for the President’s impeachment. The five stayed in the Parliament for over two months before the attempt to arrest them was withdrawn.
Angelina Ladera is a member of KMU Labor Center, the Philippines leading labour organisation.
They were in Australia as part of a international tour highlighting the plight of workers and activists in their home country.
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has called upon the Federal Government to intervene to help protect the working people of the Philippines. Below is the text of a letter sent to the Prime Minister in June this year.
Dear Prime Minister
It has been brought to my organisation’s attention that as of May this year, a total of 601 assassinations of trade unionists, journalists, human rights activists and other community workers have occurred in the Philippines.  Many individuals have been targeted in the current political climate by unknown killer squads.  Apparently the Macapagal - Arroyo Government is turning a blind eye to these activities.
I request your government make the appropriate protests to the Philippines Government at the highest level.
Your intervention would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely
BRIAN BOYD
Secretary
Victorian Trades Hall Council

More Archive

Powered By three squares