URGENT Actions

October 1, 2005

Dear Friends,

On September 22, Diosdado Fortuna, Nestle-Cabuyao union president and chairman of the regional chapter of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), “May First Movement” in Southern Tagalog, Philippines, was brutally murdered.

We urge you to send protest letters to Nestle management, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and concerned government agencies, as well as to send a solidarity message to the Nestle union.

On the following pages is a sample protest letter that you can use and addresses where you can send the letter. Please cc NISPOP at: nispop@nispop.org

Letters from prominent unions and other organizations in the US, Canada and around the world can have a powerful impact in the Philippines and are an excellent expression of international solidarity.

Thank you,

Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines
PO Box 721340, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
212-561-1567
nispop@nispop.org
www.nispop.org

NISPOP's Nestle flyer: please download, edit as you like and distribute.

SAMPLE LETTER:

We, (organization’s name), which represents (members/constituents) throughout the (region), condemn the recent murder of prominent labor leader, Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna, President of United Filipro Employees – Drug, Food and Allied Industries (UFE-DFA-KMU), the Nestle Cabuyao Workers’ Union.

Fortuna held several other prominent positions, including Chairperson of Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK; Solidarity of Workers in Southern Tagalog), a regional chapter of Kilusang Mayo Uno (May One Movement) chapter and Chairperson of Anakpawis-Partylist, Southern Tagalog, a progressive political party.Fortuna was brutally murdered on his way home in front of Sagara Factory in the province of Laguna on September 22, 2005. He was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. He sustained two gunshot wounds, from unnamed assailants.

Fortuna was a prominent leader in the progressive labor movement for 28 years, during which time his commitment to the workers’ struggle never wavered. As President of the Nestle Cubuyao Workers Union, he was a constant presence on the picket line since the strike began in January 2002.

The Nestle workers have been waging a three-year struggle for retirement benefits, salary, and rights on the job. During this time, Nestle brutally attempted to break the strike, through illegal and unethical tactics. The Nestle strikers have maintained their picketline, despite harassment, violence, and multiple dispersal attempts.

It is clear that Fortuna’s death is the most recent in a series of politically motivated killings. The country is in a state of undeclared martial law, with members of progressive people’s organizations becoming targets of state terrorism. Since January 2005 there have been more than 35 murders of activists, journalists, human rights lawyers and defenders, church people, and members of progressive political parties and organizations. Since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office in 2001, there were 414 cases of political killings of mass leaders and activists and 4,210 human rights violations. The government’s inaction and promotion of human rights abusers has created a culture of impunity and repression.

We, (organization), join Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) and other progressive Philippine organizations in demanding a full investigation into Diosdado Fortuna’s brutal murder and the full indemnification of his family. Furthermore, we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We stand in solidarity with the Nestle workers in their just demands. We demand that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and President Arroyo be held accountable for the seemingly endless killing of progressive people. Diosdado Fortuna was a well respected and much loved labor leader; he and all the victims of political killings deserve justice. We, (organization), will remain vigilant until justice is won.

In Solidarity,

Justice for Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna!
Justice for the Nestle workers!


PROTEST LETTERS CAN BE SENT TO:
Peter Brabeck
Chief Executive Officer
Nestle S.A
1800 Vevey
Switzerland
Fax: 011-41-21-924-4800
Email: Peter.Brabeck_Letmathe@nestle.com

Sec. Patricia Sto. Tomas
Labor Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
7th Floor, DOLE Building
Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila, PHILIPPINES
email: sto-tomapat@pacific.net.ph
fax: 011-632-527 3494

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: 011-632 564 1451 to 80
Fax: 011-632 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: 011-63 919 898 4622 / 011-63 917 839 8462
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

SOLIDARITY MESSAGES CAN BE SENT TO:
Luz Baculo
Secretary-General
PAMANTIK-KMU
e-mail address: granahe@yahoo.com
cc: KMU International Dept <kmuid@tri-isys.com>

In addition, we would also like to solicit monetary support to help support the continuing struggle of the workers against Nestle management now, during the strike and after.


FINANCIAL DONATIONS MAY BE SENT:

a) bank transfer

Bank of the Philippines Islands
Timog Branch, Quezon City
c/o Norma Binas and Ma. Teresa Dioquino
Account Number: 0274-0768-52

b) through check or door-to-door delivery addressed to:

Ma. Teresa Dioquino
KMU International Department
G/F, Balai Obrero Foundation
63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines

Please inform KMU by e-mail or by fax (00632-421 1049) of any donations that you will make. (kmuid@tri-isys.com)

Join NISPOP for Informational Outreach on Killing of Nestle Philippines Union Leader
Saturday, October 8, 2005
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Union Square South 14th St entrance in front of Whole Foods Market
Subway: 4,5,6, L, N, R, W to Union Square

Get out the word on this tragic murder.
Educate shoppers on the Nestle Corporation’s labor practices.

Oust Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Campaign

Justice Not War in the Philppines Campaign 'Oust Gloria' Speak Out in Woodside, Queens, July 11, 2005. JNW's flyer.  View photo.

Hacienda Luisita Justice Campaign

On November 16, 2004, military snipers opened fire on strikers at Hacienda Luisita. Read about these workers' courageous and ongoing struggle, then sign and circulate this petition.

Campaign to Defend Filipino Progressives in Europe

Please read and sign the online petition: "Defend the Rights of Prof. Sison" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/jms/

It is urgent that we gather many thousands of signatures in order to:

  • Defend the democratic rights of Prof. Sison
  • Defend the movement for social justice and against imperialism of which he is a part
  • Defend the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
  • Defend yourself--because an injury to one is an injury to all.

Please read and sign the petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/jms/

Then spread the word.

U.S. Troops Out Now! Campaign

NISPOP's current focus is on opposing the ongoing U.S. military intervention in the Philippines, under the pretext of combating "terrorism." Here are some related materials:

Out With U.S. Troops Now! (OUT NOW!) Statement of Unity--unity statement of broad coalition of organizations and individuals in the Philippines opposed to the U.S. military intervention.

OUT NOW--USA--statement of coalition of Filipino and other organizations in the U.S. opposed to U.S. military intervention.

FAQ on U.S. Military Intervention.

NISPOP Press Releases
 

Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP)
PO Box 721340
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
212-561-1567
nispop@nispop.org
www.nispop.org