PAL files criminal charges vs 41 PALEA members

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) filed yesterday criminal complaints for grave coercion against 41 members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) over an incident on October 29, 2011 when rowdy protesters harassed airline staff and service providers and violently prevented vehicles loaded with inflight meal provisions from leaving company premises.

PAL security officer Zenas Agbay, who was the ground team leader that day, submitted an affidavit-complaint detailing the charges to the Pasay City prosecutor’s office at around 4 pm yesterday.

He related in his complaint the events that led to the unprovoked harassment and specific acts of violence committed by PALEA members. The complaint was supported by photographs and video footages of the incident.

Named respondents were the following PALEA members: Jonas A. Agustin, Renato L. Berongoy, Jorge P. dela Rosa, Anacorito T. Fernandez Jr., Joaquin C. Galvez, Joaquin Z. Garcia, Eduardo O. Lapuz, Liberato B. Liad, Daniel C. Mag-atas, Celito V. Padon, Roselito A. Prado, Ronald R. Salazar, Romeo M. Sayas, Jose A. Amador, Alberto U. de Guzman, Edgardo J. Disu, Eusebio F. Flores, Sofronio S. Gajo, Nicanor R. Guantero, Jose Lito T. Lune, Bienvenido D. Luteria, Ricky R. Magararu, Ramon Patrick L. Salud, Froilan S. Tancinco, Arnel R. Amador, Epifanio M. Bagsic, Esther A. Gonzaga, Joseph Louie V. Macatual, Antonio N. Metiam, Danilo P. Musni, Manuel O. Narte, Rolando P. Oxina, Elmer L. Pinlac, Jaime Antonio D. Nacar Jr., Sarah Bonnin, Ariel Banagua, Jonas Agustin, Lauro Villanueva, Ulysis Rodelas, a certain Macatangay and a certain Colo.

The respondents are former PAL employees belonging to PAL’s defunct airport services, cargo handling and catering departments, as well as several John Does and Jane Does.

PALEA members protesting the flag carrier’s outsourcing program began their blockade of the PAL Inflight Center along MIA Road on September 28, 2011. The facility houses the airline’s cabin services department and inflight kitchens meals for all PAL flights are prepared.

Since then, PAL’s trucks and drivers including those of its service providers have been subject to intimidation, threats and even physical violence from protesting former employees every time they depart and enter the compound.

The level of bullying increased to the point where PAL was forced to deploy security cordons just to escort its catering vehicles in and out of the Inflight Center.

Agbay related that early in the morning of October 29, as two vehicles loaded with trolleys, catering equipment and supplies were about to exit the compound, a group of PALEA members armed with rattan batons and lighted torches blocked their path.

As the posse swelled in number, so did their hostility, Agbay said. Protesting workers placed planks with protruding nails on the driveway and positioned a car to serve as a further barricade. All the while, unionists were shouting invectives and threats at the drivers and security guards, Agbay added.

“To make matters worse, the PALEA members poured liquid combustible material in a box and it was lighted about two feet away from the catering truck. When it was already burning, they pushed it nearer the hood of the truck, endangering the truck and its occupants. They also laid out barbed wires on the path of the vehicles,” the complaint said.

Agbay asserted the requisite elements of grave coercion were present during the Oct. 29 incident: violation of the law, presence of violence/threat/intimidation, and protesters had no authority to block the truck. As evidenced by photos and a video, the protesters threatened to torch the PAL truck. — PR/JMO (FREEMAN)