© Canatan Lebo gress se Ye iy se Congr teva du Cana state ire ire Yep ee April 20, 2011 File: 20405-P02 His Excellency Benigno Simeon C, Aquino Ill ax: 011-63-2-734-7084 President Republic of the Philippines Malacanang Palace JP Laurel Street, San Miguel Manila 1005 Philippines Dear President Aquino, ‘The Worker’ Assistance Center (WAC), the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), and the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW) have notified the Canadian Labour Congress of the murder of Celito Baccay, a key union leader and organizer of the Maeno Giken Worker's Organization (MAGIKWO) in Maeno Giken, a Japanese-owned manufacturer of steel, iron and stainless steel in Dasmarias, Cavite province. Bacay was killed while driving his motorcycle on his way home after his work shift on March 8, 2011. A fact-finding team composed of staff of the CTUHR, WAG, and members of the SCW found that Baccay’s killing could be union- related. The team also discovered that continuing threats to the security of his co-unionists prevent their union activities from taking place. These organizations further documented a history of harassment and intimidation against workers at the factory. (On behalf of its 3.2 million members, the Canadian Labour Congress wrote to the previous Philippines administration stating our concern about the murder of, arrests and intimidation against union members and leaders in the Philippines. In 2007, the UN Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston, conducted @ mission which found links to the wave of killings of activists. trade unionists, church and NGO workers to the military’s anti-terrorism operation Optan Bantay Laya, under the administration of your predecessor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In 2009, the ILO conducted a high level mission to investigate serious allegations of the murder of trade unionists, death threats, arrest of trade union leaders in connection with their trade union activities, widespread impunity relating to violence against trade unionists and the militarization of workplaces in export processing zones (EPZs) and special economic zones. In its report, the ILO urged the government to make “all efforts to ensure that workers may ‘exercise their trade union rights in a climate free from violence, threats and fear" (2 FF a2: ie on onan ome 9 20 puma Res, ota Ons) V7 Te ayers fasta encanta 1866 eo) sass eeniis Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino I April 18, 2011 Page 2 ‘The world expected this murderous campaign to come to an end under your new government, but human rights group Karapatan has registered 40 extra-judicial killings in the first 9 months of your administration, with the case of Celito Baccay counting as number 41. When will the killing stop? ‘We ask you to heed the calls of the above mentioned organizations to undertake: 1, An immediate, impartial and more thorough investigation on the murder of Celito Baccay; 2. An immediate filing of complaints in criminal court to brirg the perpetrators to justice; 3, To compensate the families and co-unionists; 4. To investigate the reported harassments and surveillances on leaders and members of MAGIKWO; 5. To undertake necessary and prompt steps to protect the rght to unionize of the workers in Maeno Giken Inc. We further request that your administration take all necessary measures to investigate human rights abuses and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Republic of the Philippines has ratified ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize. We call on you now to respect and protect the rights of workers and trade unionists. We have alse ken mute of the recent ILO report on the Philippines by die Committee oa the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CAERC Report Ill - Fart 1A, April 2011, pgs 141-143) and the Canadian Labour Congress calls on your government to comply with the CAERC requests without delay. Sincerely, Kenneth V. Georgetti President ce: International Trade Union Confederation - Human and Trade Union Rights Canadian Union of Public Employees Canadian Auto Workers