Report from Anoj Munsayac, Women Workers Committee-Cordillera Labor Center

Report from Anoj Munsayac, Women Workers Committee-Cordillera Labor Center

19th August 2005

Mankayan, Benguet- Exactly 5:00 at dawn on August 15,2005, more than 200 elements of the Philippine National Police led by Colonel Ernesto Ga-ab, Major Brent Madjako and Captain Richard Albon violently dispersed the workers, women and children at millsite picketline at Lepanto, Mankayan.

Using thick and long wooden-sticks, metal cylinders, hi-powered riffles and water cannons, 7 women are hurt, an old man and a boy were badly battered. A worker and woman named Fauto Pawi and Julieta Tangbawan were kicked by three PNP with hooded face and without nametags. LEU Board of Director Vicente Dilem was beaten by a hard wood, and also the LEU Secretary Julio Cawilan was arrested and handcuffed but was able to get free jump from the LCMC vehicle together with the other workers who were also arrested.

The PNP was about to escort the company’s supply of cyanide and steelballs used in processing the gold production to go inside the millsite of LCMC but it was held up by the picketers.

According to the Guidelines of Conduct of PNP/AFP during Stikes, Lockouts and Labor Disputes of the Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the PNP should remain neutral and must not take side. The action of the PNP this morning shows that the PNP had been very instrumental to the Lepanto Consolidated Mining company. On the other side the PNP must serve to the exploited people and not to the exploiters.