Radio station accused of illegal broadcast

THE union members of a radio network based in Davao City accused the management of illegal broadcasting despite the ongoing strike.

In a press statement read by RMN Davao Employees Union (RDEU) president Rey Fabe in a press conference held outside the radio station along Anda Street, he said "the radio Mindanao Network/Radyo Mo Nationwide management has defied the labor strike launched by the RMN Davao Employees Union [on] July 10 and proceeded to operate its dxDC AM station via a relay station."

The workers switched off the transmitters of the FM and AM stations early Tuesday to protest the management's alleged refusal to discuss salary increases and package of benefits demanded by RDEU.

The AM station dxDC was back on air on Wednesday while the FM station remained off-air.

Fabe said other employees of the RMN-Davao numbering to about 10, who are not members of the RDEU, illegally operated and sneaked out three units of mic stand, two units of microphones, a logbook, a headset, a laptop adaptor and a set of small speakers from the station.

"It (the management) committed run-away shop," Fabe said.

"Ang gihimong pagbuhat nga on air nila, tago-tago, maski gisirado na (Even if we already closed the station, still they do the broadcasting secretly)," Fabe said.

He said the management allegedly padlocked the studio's main gate "to make it appear that the union is violating the egress and ingress provisions of the Labor Code pertaining to the strike."

Fabe said all 20 union members are now exploring the legalities of the alleged "run-away shop" committed by the management.

"Gipa blotter na namo ni, isumbong pa namo pud sila sa Dole (Department of Labor and Employment) ani (We already reported it to the police authorities. We are set to complain this before the Dole)," Fabe told reporters in an interview.

He said the act of operating outside the station is illegal since the only registered address of the radio station is along Anda corner Bonifacio streets, where the studio is located, and in Madapo Hills, where the transmitter is placed.

"The RDEU will continue to pursue its strike, in a peaceful and legal way to press the RMN management to implement the memorandum of agreement and resume the CBA negotiations," the group said.

Meanwhile, no one from the management was available for interview.