KOMPIL condemns the murder of Ka Popoy

KOMPIL condemns the murder of Ka Popoy (Feb.07, 2001)
Japanese

CyberDyaryo Wednesday, 07 February 2001
http://www.codewan.com.ph/CyberDyaryo/

KOMPIL condemns the murder of Ka Popoy

The Kongreso ng Mamayang Pilipino (KOMPIL) strongly condemns the murder of Filemon "Ka Popoy" Lagman. His killing was meant to silence one of the brave souls who continued to be outspoken for the cause of the workers and other marginalized sectors of society. As such he earned the enmity of certain interests and groups, which realized that they had much to fear from his outspokenness.

.....Roy Oliveros, KOMPIL Spokesperson for Labor and Federation of Free Workers-Labor Solidarity Movement (FFW-LSM) National Vice President expresses their grief on Ka Popoy's demise saying, "While we differ in approaches, we are one in promoting workers rights and interest, thus we mourn the loss of a leader, and we condemn the dastardly act committed on Popoy.

.....Alex Aguilar, also KOMPIL Spokeperson for Labor and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines- Labor Solidarity Movement (TUCP-LSM) likewise adds that, "Any act against a brother in the labor movement is an attack on all trade union movement." Furthermore, Mr. Aguilar says that "for whatever political reasons this act was committed, the means by which this was perpetrated will never justify any political end."

.....The brutal assassination of Ka Popoy does injustice to us all in as much as it disregards all the civilized rules of democratic debate that, many of us continue to struggle to enlarge and safeguard. It scorns the heroic efforts of the ordinary people who come together to seek justice through non-violent means. It is cowardice to hide behind a gun to enforce one's point of view. It is also the height of stupidity to kill a voice crying for justice because there will always be many more who will come forward to press the issue. Our history is replete with examples of this. They simply have not learned.

.....Joshua Mata, also KOMPIL and Alliance of Progressive Labor-LSM Spokesperson, sees this "as an act that is meant to terrorize the labor movement and decapitate its leadership." He further adds that "hindi magtatagumpay ang ganitong motibo dahil lalo lang nitong palalakasin ang samahang paggawa at lalung marami pang manggagawa ang
handang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan."

.....KOMPIL condoles with Ka Popoy's family, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and the SANLAKAS in this time of bereavement. KOMPIL likewise urges the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to immediately investigate the case and bring to justice the perpetrators of this brutal crime.