SURFACE WILLIAM LARIOSA!

As International Workers’ Day, May 1, approaches, the attacks on the labor movement by the Marcos Jr. government intensify. Yesterday, according to reliable sources and witnesses in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon, 63-year-old labor leader and organizer William Lariosa was arrested by elements of the 48th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, leaving his family and colleagues clueless about his whereabouts. Lariosa had already endured persistent threats and harassment from state forces even before his arrest, as revealed by Kilusang Mayo Uno.

The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines vehemently condemns Lariosa’s arrest. We demand that the government of Marcos Jr. participate in locating Lariosa and provide transparency regarding his situation. Furthermore, we adamantly urge governments to stop the attacks on unions and labor organizers, repeal the oppressive Anti-Terrorism Law, and abolish the NTF-ELCAC, which egregiously infringes upon workers’ right to form unions. Instead of addressing the plight of workers nationwide and heading for their demand for regular jobs, living wage and humane treatment at work the Marcos Jr government further intensified the attacks to Filipino workers

Moreover, the Coalition calls upon all freedom-loving people to join the call for the safe return of Lariosa and to demand the Marcos Jr. government to uphold labor and human rights in the Philippines.

#SURFACEWILLIAMLARIOSA