State employees’ union accuses gov’t of ‘unusual harassment’

MANILA, Philippines–Union leaders under the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) based in Metro Manila have decried an unusual form of “harassment” they have been receiving days before Labor Day, allegedly from uniformed government forces.

In a press conference with labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in Quezon City on Thursday, Courage national president Ferdinand Gaite said at least seven Courage members—union leaders in various government agencies based in Metro Manila—had received letters linking them to the communist movement and asking them to change their “antigovernment” ways.

In each of the letters, the sender, claiming to be concerned, would leave a contact number the union leader could contact to “talk things through.”

Gaite said the union leaders received the letters separately—at their offices, in their homes and even while on public transport—as early as a week ago and up until Tuesday this week.

Gaite believed the letters were from intelligence officers either from the military or the police, and were aimed at derailing Courage’s plans to join KMU protests for Labor Day on Friday.

The unsigned letter addressed to Manny Baclagon of the Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines, sent to his office and house, was the most threatening, with the sender noting, in Filipino: “I know all about your life, your wife, your children and your work.”

“What you are doing is wrong, especially since you are a government employee paid by Filipinos’ taxes… I am a soldier, and sympathize with you, but it’s not too late for you. Contact me if you choose to cooperate with the government,” the letter read.

A female officer from the National Food Authority Employees Association received her letter while she was in a commuter jeepney on her way home.

The man beside her suddenly handed her a letter and alighted. The letter read, in Filipino: “As a fellow government employee, I only wish for your cooperation for your own sake… What I offer is a way for you to correct your wrongs against the government.” The letter was simply signed “Jay.”

Rosalinda Nartates, president of Consolidated Union of Employees of the National Housing Authority (CUE-NHA), received a handwritten letter from a certain “Captain Evangelista” of the Philippine Army, delivered to the CUE-NHA office in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The letter urged her to “defend herself” from accusations made by a supposed jailed comrade.

Despite these “threats,” Gaite said Courage will still join the Labor Day protests in Manila.