From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jan 2): PM Negros Condemns the Brutal Assassination of their Comrade ‘Ka Potot’
"We vehemently condemn the brutal assassination of kaupod Victoriano Embang, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) leader in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on the early morning of December 29, 2012. Motorcycle-riding-in-tandem assailants ambushed him with a shotgun which fatally hit him at the back," declared Ma. Luisa Parroco, PM Negros Chapter Chairperson.
"Victoriano Embang or Ka Potot is a steadfast farm worker leader who has been fighting for workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARB) welfare since the 1980’s, when they decided to resolutely struggle for labor standards and later, the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Hacienda Ma. Cecilia, Moises Padilla. Ka Potot had never abandoned his fellow workers despite threats and pressures from the landlord. He was an unwavering leader who persistently urged his fellow workers to engage in collective production scheme of the farm lot they gained from their struggles. He discouraged individual and small-lot farming and proven himself correct in asserting that collective farming is more productive and beneficial to their members," Parroco further explained.
"We will never forget his simple and always smiling ways and his unending concern to respond and accommodate the needs of his members. He will always be an inspiration to us. His death will motivate us to go on with the struggle - further organize until justice is attained not only for Ka Potot, but also for the entire working class," Parroco added.
"We call on the authorities to expediently act on this blatant display of terrorism by the still unidentified perpetrators. PM has always been a rational and non-violent organization. We hold on to peace and justice, and we call on our fellow workers and agrarian reform organizations to condemn the brutal slay of Ka Potot," ended Parroco.
http://www.ndb-online.com/010213/local-news/local-news-pm-negros-condemns-brutal-assassination-their-comrade-%E2%80%98ka-potot%E2%80%99
The Partido ng Manggagaw (PM-Labor Party) was formed as a result of the initiative of the late Filemon Lagman, a radical labor leader and member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) who broke away from the Maoist organization in the early 1990s. When he left the CPP he took most of the Manila chapter of the radical Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May One Movement) labor federation with him and set up the rival Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP-Solidarity of the Filipino Workers). He was assassinated by unknow assailants in early 2001.
ReplyDeleteThere has never been much love lost between the CPP and "rejectionist" groups formed by those who broke away from the CPP in the 1990s. Over the years, the military wing of the CPP, the New People's Army (NPA) has harrassed and assassinated a number of rejectionist leaders.
The killing of Victoriano Embang may be the result of an NPA hit or it may simply be attributed to local landlords who opposed his organizing and advocacy acitivities on behalf of local farm workers.