Calabarzon labor leaders arrested

LAGUNA – Some worker groups, including a priest expressed alarm over the arrest of several labor leaders by authorities in Calabarzon region including labor leader Emmanuel Asuncion and Emmanuel Dionida, who were arrested in Calamba City last week.

“Outrageous and a blatant lie” is how the Worker Assistance Center executive director, Rev. Fr. Jose Dizon described the charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder against Asuncion along with several leaders.

Dizon said Asuncion is among the 72 accused, who were ordered arrested on Oct. 3 by Judge Tomas Leynes, of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court in Mindoro Oriental based on amended information filed by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, in relation to a March 3, 2006 assault on elements of the Philippine National Police by alleged members of the New People’s Army in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental.

He said the amended information substituted the “John Does” in an earlier information with names of leaders and members of progressive organizations.