KARAPATAN denounces new attempt on the lives of striking workers in Luisita
by Karapatan Thursday, Jan. 06, 2005 at 4:27 PM

Jigs Clamor, KARAPATAN deputy secretary general said, " We condemn in the strongest possible terms, this new attempt on the lives of striking workers in Hacienda Luisita and strongly criticize the police for letting the perpetrators get away with murder."

Last night, at around 10 o'clock in the evening, a Nissan patrol with plate number TLA 119 rammed the picket line being manned by workers at the West Gate of the hacienda.

Armed men in plain clothes alighted from the vehicle and started harassing them. Four policemen posted in the area only looked on and later acted as if they were pacifying the armed men. Then the men started firing. Two workers, George Lablan, 32 and Ernesto Ramos, 50, were critically wounded.

The police failed to disarm and arrest the perpetrators. The armed men were able to drive past the main gate.

Jigs Clamor, KARAPATAN deputy secretary general said, " We condemn in the strongest possible terms, this new attempt on the lives of striking workers in Hacienda Luisita and strongly criticize the police for letting the perpetrators get away with murder."

He also said that, " so long as the woes of the workers are not met and resolved, we fear that these violations on the right to life and dignity of workers will continue. We call on the Cojuangco family and the government to stop using force against the workers and settle what needs to be settled."

KARAPATAN also stressed that justice should be served. Clamor said, "We call on peace-loving citizens to support the workers and do whatever they can to help achieve justice, and press the government and the Cojuangcos to give the workers what is due."

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