Kadamay Metro Manila’s Labor Day Facebook post that led to the “arrest” of four labor leaders in Valenzuela City.
Four labor leaders in Valenzuela City were briefly jailed for posting slogans on social media as their way of undertaking Labor Day protests and participating in the annual commemoration of World Workers Day.
Macario San Agustin, Kadamay Metro Manila spokesperson said one of their members, Fidel Columna, who is also a labor leader of the Kilos Na Homeless, and three others were brought to the Malinta police station by the Valenzuela PNP on Labor Day to “give a statement”.
The three others who were briefly detained have been identified as Marlina Abique and Danny and Ann Calunsad, all members of the Liga ng mga Manggagawa sa Valenzuela City.
Kadamay provided video and photo evidence showing the four, apparently undertaking an in-house protest activity, holding placards with slogans calling for wage increase, the end of labor contractualization, higher hazard pay, and better safety measures for factory workers during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
Although no charges were filed against the group, San Agustin pointed out that the four “were arrested for posting their calls on social media during the Labor Day online protest.”
“The police wanted to find out who was behind the online protest,” and added “the police visited the houses of those who participated in the online protest as a way to intimidate them,” he said.
To follow protocol against mass gatherings, the labor groups used social media to mount their Labor Day assembly.
Valenzuela City police chief Col. Fernando Ortega did not give any official statement regarding the incident.(Jojo Mangahis)