KMU asks Tagle: Hear workers’ plight, reconsider support for Aquino

MANILA, Philippines—A militant workers’ group on Tuesday asked Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to hear the demand of various groups for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III over his handling of the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer Labog asked Tagle to have a dialogue with workers so that he will understand why they are calling for Aquino’s ouster.

“We trust that Cardinal Tagle will support calls for Aquino’s resignation and the formation of a transition council once he hears the reasons behind our calls,” Labog said.

Labog alleged that Aquino “undermined” Philippine institutions in three levels: when he allegedly followed the directive of US to arrest Zulkifli Binhir alias Marwan; when he reportedly allowed resigned Philippine National Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima to lead the Mamasapano raid; and when Aquino allegedly gave a go-signal to launch an “all-out offensive” in Mindanao.

He said that the calling for the resignation of Aquino is the “cry of the millions of Filipino workers and people who have been further impoverished and subjected to harsher exploitation because of Aquino’s anti-worker and anti-poor policies.”

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In an interview with ABS-CBN, Tagle slammed the credibility of those pushing for a National Transformation Council in the event Aquino steps down from his post.

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“Who are these personalities who would form part of the advisory council? Who will establish that when there is also doubt on some institutions?” the prelate said in the interview aired on “TV Patrol” Monday night.

The prelate said that the public should wait for the next elections to choose Aquino’s replacement.

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