THE Council of Global Unions (CGU) on Friday, December 11, 2020, called on the Duterte administration to immediately release the six labor leaders and one journalist, who were arrested on International Human Rights Day.
Members of activist organizations led by human rights group Karapatan also conducted a series of picket protests in front of Camp Karingal, Quezon City Regional Trial Court and Camp Crame to denounce the arrest of the seven activists, collectively known as the HRD7.
They demanded for their release and said the evidence were planted.
The HRD7 are Dennise Velasco of Defend Jobs Philippines; Romina Astudillo, deputy secretary-general of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Metro Manila; Mark Ryan Cruz, regional executive committee of KMU-Metro Manila; Jaymie Gregorio Jr. of KMU-Metro Manila; Joel Demate of Solidarity of Labor Rights and Welfare (Solar); Rodrigo Esparago of Sandigang Manggagawa sa Quezon City (SMQC); and Lady Ann Salem, editor of Manila Today.
They were arrested during raids conducted on their homes beginning at dawn of December 10.
Police claimed to have recovered high-powered rifles and explosives in each of the residences searched. Police also said the raids were part of simultaneous operations against loose firearms.
In a statement, the CGU condemned the arrest of the HRD7.
"We call on the Duterte government to immediately release the HRD7 workers and journalist, drop the trumped-up charges against them, and stop this detestable practice of filing manufactured criminal charges against unionists and activists," said the CGU.
"We strongly deplore the simultaneous raids of residences and the consecutive arrests of trade union organizers," it added.
CGU said it was evident that the move was aimed at stifling dissent and organized action among the people.
"This is yet another blow to the trade union movement in the Philippines. Trade union activists are being criminalized, illegally arrested and detained, as the government’s way of preventing them from organizing workers into unions and associations, and depriving them their freedom of thought and expression as translated into their activities among the workers," the group said.
It urged all labor groups to join their call for the immediate release of the detained individuals.
"We call on trade unions and freedom-loving people all over the world to continue the fight for trade union and human rights in the Philippines," said the CGU. (HDT / TPM / SunStar Philippines)