Extra Judicial Killings - Bishop Alberto Ramento -
Leftist and human rights groups boycotted commission headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, 74, questioning its independence. Only three generals and a resource person have appeared before the commission since it was convened in late August.
A Human Rights Watch report in September found deep public distrust of the government’s investigative effort, widespread fear among witnesses and victims’ families, and a climate of fear in areas where the killings occurred.
Police Deputy Director Avelino Razon says had narrowed down the number of suspected politically motivated killings to 136 since 2001 and solved 62 cases.
Razon didn’t say how many suspects had been arrested and expressed doubt over the higher figure cited.
US apparel makers alarmed over the murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento inside his rectory in Tarlac City in October and the reports of violent attacks against striking workers at the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ).
The companies, which buy apparel from the Philippines, asked for an impartial investigation into the killing of Ramento, chair of the Board of Directors of the Workers Assistance Center, and the shooting of Gerardo Cristobal, former union president and member of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW).
On Oct. 23, the striking workers of Philippines-Jeon Garments Inc. and Chong Won Fashion Inc., both Korean-owned garment factories in the CEZ, filed charges with the Commission on Human Rights against officials of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the local Cavite police for alleged violent dispersals of their picket line last month.
The workers in the two companies have been on strike since the last week of September due to the refusal of the management to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Illegal dismissals
Marlene Gonzales, former employee of Chong Won and now president of the SCW, said the workers doubted the “sincerity of the companies’ commitment to the workers’ plight.”
Chong Won Fashion Inc. supplies products to Wal-Mart in the United States, such as T-shirts, ladies’ blouses, polo shirts, pants, jogging pants, sleepwear and other apparel. Philippines-Jeon produces apparel for such firms as Al Assel and Zico in Saudi Arabia, CNI in the United States and Dream Station in Japan. With reports from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Philip C. Tubeza and Niña Catherine Calleja, Southern Luzon.

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