MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 6, 2011) — The Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) condemned the violent police dispersal Tuesday of protesters that gathered in Manila to express their outrage over the high prices of commodities.
It said many protesters were injured and hurt during the dispersal at the Mendiola Bridge where they gathered. Most of those who joined the protest were students, public and private sector workers, overseas workers among other groups that were complaining about massive budget cuts on education and other social services.
The Kampuhan Kontra Kaltas, Krisis at Kahirapan, motivated by the global Occupy Movements, aimed to highlight how Filipinos are fed-up with the worsening poverty and exploitation under the current Aquino government.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the violent dispersal of workers, students and other sectors in the protest held at Mendiola Bridge today. Our fellow protesters were water-cannoned, beaten and chased by the police, simply because they dared to point out the deplorable living conditions under Aquino.”
“Driven by righteous anger and discontent over starvation wages, budget cuts on education and other social services, continuing labor flexibilization schemes and the soaring prices of basic commodities and services, the people have all the right to express their anger over the Aquino administration’s callousness to our calls for a substantial wage hike and greater state subsidy for social services,” COURAGE National President Ferdinand Gaite said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Gaite said government employees also share the same sentiment of those from other sectors, adding state employees are also subsisting on meager wages and almost-zero benefits.
“We are also dissatisfied with Aquino’s poor performance – in the end, all his posturing and rhetoric about change, transparency and good governance have amounted to nothing. The standard of living for employees and workers have steadily declined, with wages far below the government’s own estimated cost of living pegged at P29,000 per month. That is why we remain steadfast in our demand for a P 6,000 increase to the minimum pay of all government employees and a P 125 across-the-board legislated wage hike for private sector workers,” Gaite said.
“It is disappointing to see the violence inflicted upon our fellow protesters, as this is indicative of this administration’s apathetic attitude towards the legitimate demands of the people in general. Despite his pronouncement that he is the complete opposite of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Noynoy employs the same intolerant attitude towards those who dare to question or criticize his flawed policies. In the end, it is apparent that there is really no substantial difference between Arroyo and Aquino. Walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni Aquino,” he added.
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