PAL files criminal raps vs 41 PALEA members

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday filed criminal complaints for grave coercion against 41 members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) for allegedly harassing airline staffers and service providers and preventing vehicles loaded with inflight meal provisions from leaving the company premises during their protest rally on Oct. 29.

PAL security officer Zenas Agbay, who was ground team leader that day, submitted an affidavit-complaint including photographs and video footages of the incident, with the Pasay City prosecutor’s office yesterday.

The respondents are former PAL employees belonging to PAL’s defunct airport services, cargo handling and catering departments.

In her complaint-affidavit, Agbay said a group of PALEA members armed with rattan batons and lighted torches blocked two vehicles loaded with trolleys, catering equipment and supplies that were about to exit the compound.

She said protesting workers also placed wooden planks with protruding nails on the driveway and positioned a car to block it.

“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.

PALEA members protesting the flag carrier’s outsourcing program began their blockade of the PAL In-flight Center along MIA Road on Sept. 28. The facility houses the airline’s cabin services department and in-flight kitchens meals for all PAL flights are prepared.