COURAGE's Tonet Setias-Dizon explaining her situation to News5. Photographed by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.
After what cause-oriented groups described as harassment tactics and an apparent stakeout by the state intelligence apparatus, leaders and sympathizers of the public sector labor union COURAGE have managed to move Antonieta Setias-Dizon out of the premises of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) building in Ortigas, Pasig City with throng of supporters joining a motor convoy of more than 10 vehicles.
"I still fear for my life," said Ms. Setias-Dizon, who is a member of the council of advisers and former secretary general of COURAGE.
Ferdinand Gaite, national president of the union Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) told their members and supporters who kept vigil outside IBP that they have had to move out of the premises and proceed to their national headquarters in Quezon City.
On Friday, Gaite expressed thanks to all the people who helped keep up their vigilance for the past 11 days.
After a brief program, the convoy of vans, cars and jeepneys made their way along EDSA and went straight to the Commission on Human Rights office to have a dialogue with new CHR chairman Chito Gascon.
Photo above shows Gascon assuring them that the commission will provide assistance and, even if it doesn't have injunctive rights to subpoena persons, CHR has good working relationship with other government agencies, including the military, on matters of human rights.
He also directed the CHR special protective unit, although small, to help Dizon with her safety concerns, especially pertaining to wherever she prefers to stay in the interest of her personal security and safety.
The convoy then went to the COURAGE office in Quezon City, where Ka Tonet, as she is fondly called by members and colleagues, gave a brief update of what happened during the past 11 days.
Dizon thanked IBP profusely for taking care of her, and her COURAGE supporters for all the support and display of vigilance.
Her sister Rosario Setias-Reyes is the national president of the IBP.
After 11 days, Ka Tonet told the gathering, "the fear is still there. The uncertainty ... the difficulty ... of not being with your family ... the feeling is the same. But, it's just that you have to muster up more strength. You have to keep up the fight, to be able to regain your confidence and your freedom of movement, because that is what they want, for me to stop fighting."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114835/video--supporters-form-human-shield-around-courages-tonet-setias-dizon
The commies continue to exploit for propaganda purposes what appears to be a situation manufactured by members of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), a known Communist Party of the Philippines-affiliated labor front that targets public sector workers.
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