Palace calls for sobriety between camps in PAL labor row

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Monday said the recent attack done on the camp site of striking workers of the Philippine Airlines was “deplorable and unfortunate.”

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte urged PAL management and the PAL Employees Association (Palea) to deal with each other with sobriety.

“While we understand that emotions are running high, we call on both PAL and Palea to exercise sobriety in their dealings with each other,” Valte said in a text message.

“We continue to monitor the situation via the monitoring team deployed by Labor Secretary Linda Baldoz, and we expect a fair and thorough investigation on the incident,” she said.

Eight Palea members were injured and a bystander died when the strikers’ camp in Pasay City were attacked by 50 men early Saturday morning.

PAL management had denied the accusation of the union that it was responsible for the attack.

The Palea members were separated from the airline last October 1 as part of an outsourcing program.