Philippine Airlines files charges vs 41 ex-employees

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Wednesday filed charges of grave coercion against 41 members of the PAL Employees Association (Palea) for allegedly harassing airline staff and service providers during a protest more than a week ago.

PAL security officer Zenas Agbay, the ground team leader on the day of the incident, submitted an affidavit-complaint detailing the charges to the Pasay City prosecutor’s office at around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

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.

In his complaint, Agbay narrated the events that transpired on October 29. The complaint was supported by photographs and video footages of the incident.

On September 28, Palea members began their blockade of the PAL Inflight Center along MIA Road to protest the flag carrier’s outsourcing program.  The facility houses the airline’s cabin services department and inflight kitchens where meals for all PAL flights are being prepared.

Since then, PAL’s trucks and drivers including those of its service providers were subjected to intimidation, threats and even physical violence by protesting former PAL employees every time they leave and enter the compound, PAL said in a statement.

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

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

As the protesters swelled in number, so did their hostility, Agbay said. The protesters placed planks with protruding nails on the driveway and positioned a car to serve as a barricade.  All the while, Palea union members were shouting invectives and threats at the drivers and security guards, Agbay added.