“Furthermore, we have reasons to believe that these incidents are part of the systematic state-sponsored campaign.”

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Several groups denounced the suspected surveillance of the office of Kilusang Mayo Uno – Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR).

KMU-SMR released an alert that two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle were captured by its CCTV around 11:30 a.m. on October 23. The back rider was apparently taking pictures or footage of its office. This was the second time it documented incidents of alleged surveillance in just a month.

On September 22, a day after the September 21 anti-corruption protests, the labor group also documented surveillance from unknown persons.

KMU-SMR said that these acts posed threats against the freedom of association of workers, including their labor rights advocacies. “Furthermore, we have reasons to believe that these incidents are part of the systematic state-sponsored campaign,” the group said in its alert.

This recent incident of surveillance occurred a month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 97 (Omnibus Guidelines on the Exercise of Freedom of Association and Civil Liberties) directing government agencies to ensure the workers’ freedom to form unions and associations without fear.

Read: Labor groups to Int’l Labor Organization high-level mission: Abolish NTF-ELCAC

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) urged the government to investigate the continuing intimidation against labor rights defenders in Southern Mindanao, recounting the cases of labor organizers Marvin Dacanay and Jeffrey Uypala who were harassed by alleged state forces early this year.

“We have documented many cases that show that cases of surveillance, intimidation, and harassment like these have served as a prelude to even worse forms of labor and human rights violations,” CTUHR said in a statement.

The labor rights group noted that military personnel allegedly went to the residence of Dacanay, who is part of KMU-SMR, on July 24 and asked his father about his whereabouts and to stop Dacanay’s labor organizing, accusing KMU of being part of the revolutionary organizations Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

A couple of weeks later, Uypala, also an organizer of KMU and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper and Operator Nationwide (PISTON) Davao Chapter, was taken by individuals who introduced themselves as personnel of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). He was profiled and promised financial assistance.

This prompted KMU-SMR to file reports before the Commission on Human Rights Region 11.

The 63-year-old William Lariosa, a disappeared labor organizer in Bukidnon province, is also affiliated with KMU-SMR

Read: Eyewitnesses say military involved in abducting labor organizer

CTUHR said that it observed that local chapters of KMU from other regions do not encounter the same experience as KMU-SMR, making them wonder if it has something to do with the Dutertes. “Or are the Dutertes and the Marcoses colluding to stifle workers’ right to freedom of association in the interest of big foreign and local capitalists?”

It said these incidents are a direct challenge to the commitment of the Marcos Jr. administration to upholding workers’ freedom of association. (DAA)