Militant trade union center Kilusang Mayo Uno trooped to Camp Crame on the occasion of Jude Fernandez’ second death anniversary to condemn the Philippine National Police and the Marcos government for its continuing onslaught on Filipino workers’ rights.
Jude Fernandez was a veteran labor organizer of KMU who was slain on September 29, 2023 by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Not a single police officer has been held to account to this day.
“Anumang pagpapapogi ni Marcos na tagapagtanggol siya ng karapatang-manggagawa ay pinasisinungalingan ng tumitinding impunidad at karahasan sa kanyang gobyerno. Bongbong, di mo kami maloloko! Ikaw mismo ang kumander at mastermind ng pasismo!” said KMU Chairperson Jerome Adonis.
Groups led by Kilusang Mayo Uno also demanded justice for Eric Saber, the construction worker slain by the Manila Police District on September 21; the immediate release of the 277 illegally detained rallyists in Mendiola; and justice for all victims of state violence that day.
“Talagang walanghiya ang gobyernong Marcos. Kumander-in-thief na, utak-pulbura pa! Ninanakaw na nga ang buwis ng manggagawa, pinapambusog pa sa mga bundat na pulis para magpakawala ng karahasan laban sa nagpoprotesta laban sa kurapsyon. Ito ang totoong pinaglalaanan ng buwis natin: kurapsyon at karahasan!” added Adonis.
KMU said that this further exposed the rottenness of the current system, and only shows how the struggle for genuine social change is justified. KMU ended the program by calling on the Filipino workers and people to continue mobilizing and expanding our ranks against corruption and against state fascism.