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Military handiwork? Workers urge an independent and deep probe of General Santos bombings
by Kilusang Mayo Uno
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004 at 6:02 PM
Ka Elmer "Bong" Labog, Chairperson of KMU, extended sympathy for the families of the victims of the General Santos City bombing and said that the killing portrayed the escalation of violence in the country committed against the people. The workers, he added, understand the grief of the victims' families as workers who toil for decent living are themselves often subjected to such violence by military and police elements in fighting for their rights.
The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today strongly condemned the recent spate of bombings in General Santos City as it urged an independent and deep probe of the violence that killed 14 people and left 64 hurt. The group hopes that the bombings are not part of a military handiwork to justify police and military visibility as red alert was declared on all police units nationwide on Sunday morning.
Ka Elmer "Bong" Labog, Chairperson of KMU, extended sympathy for the families of the victims and said that the killing portrayed the escalation of violence in the country committed against the people. The workers, he added, understand the grief of the victims' families as workers who toil for decent living are themselves often subjected to such violence by military and police elements in fighting for their rights.
As if on cue, Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, Armed Forces Southern Command Chief, has ordered military commanders in Mindanao to secure key cities, especially crowded areas like shopping malls and cinemas.
Labog recalled the Oakwood Mutiny of the Magdalo group that implicated in their grievances high ranking officials connected with the bombings. In 2002, a bomb accidentally exploded in a hotel room of CIA agent Michael Mehring in Davao alleged to have been used in the bombings spree. AFP and CIA were often implicated for bombing activities in the past by progressive organizations.
The labor leader calls for vigilance of the workers and the people at the upsurge of violence. He said that only through collective struggle that the people may learn from the death and pain being inflicted on them by powers that be and ultimately end the violence committed against the people.
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