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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Labor group welcomes favorable decision in 1986 Olalia, Alay-ay slays

Labor group welcomes favorable decision in 1986 Olalia, Alay-ay slays

Published Oct 13, 2021 05:06 pm

The National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) welcomed the conviction of three former servicemen for the killing of labor leader Rolando Olalia and unionist Leonor Alay-ay 35 years ago.

Rolando "Ka Lando" Olalia (Photo from Kilusang Mayo Uno)

"For 35 years, we have sought and fought for justice to our slain comrades - well-loved and well-achieved unionists and labor leaders who stood with the workers and the people until the end," NAFLU KMU secretary-general Antonio Pascual said in a statement.

The Antipolo Regional Trial Court Branch 97 found the three members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) guilty of two counts of murder for the killings of Olalia and Alay-ay in November 1986.

Fernando Casanova, Dennis Jabatan, and Desiderio Perez were meted with the penalty of up to 40 years imprisonment (reclusion perpetua) and each is ordered to pay a total of P2.1-million civil indemnity and damages to the heirs of Olalia and Alay-ay. The three are the only arrested accused.

The cases against the other accused – Carilo Almario, Jose Bacero, Richard Dicon, Gilbert Galicia, Oscar Legaspi, Filomeno Maligaya, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagasay, and Edger Sumido – have been archived subject to reactivation once they are arrested and presented before the court for trial.

According to Pascual, they are still hopeful that the masterminds will be prosecuted, adding that "justice will only truly be served if they are named and judged."

Pascual is also optimistic that this "favorable decision" in the Olalia-Alay-ay case will also be granted on the other cases of slain laborers including mass organizer Manny Asuncion and union leader Dandy Miguel who were shot dead in a bloody crackdown in Calabarzon earlier this year.

"While we rejoice in this ruling, we point out the current similarly bleak situation of trade union and human rights in the country. 56 of our fellow workers and unionists have been victims of extrajudicial killings over the past five years under Duterte," he said.

"The justice system's integrity is consistently under siege by vested interests. But with the people continuously fighting for justice, we hope it would not take another 35 years," he added.

Related Tags

Labor group Leonor Alay-ay Rolando Olalia labor leader unionist Olalia-Alay-ay Case Double murder National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM)
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