Workers' resistance against the Marcos dictatorship

During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Filipino workers in the labor industry experienced the effects of government corruption, crony capitalism^[1], and cheap labor for foreign transnational industries^[2]. One of the objectives of Martial Law was to cheapen labor costs, in order to attract transnational corporations to export labor to the Philippines^[3]. Marcos signed many presidential decrees beneficial only to his associates^[1], while allowing for the forced relocation of indigenous peoples, decreasing workers' wages^[4], and murders of labor activists. Minimum wage was a fixed Php 8.00 per day^[5]. Many workers were unemployed or underemployed^[6]. It was also during the Marcos presidency when the practice of contractualization began,^[7]enabling managements to avoid giving regular, permanent status to employees after six months of work. Strikes were banned^[8] and the government controlled trade unions^[2], leaving workers without effective protection against employers who had unfair labor practices and regulations^[2].

Furthermore, with each year under Martial Law, economic conditions deteriorated due to a large trade deficit. Between 1974 and 1981, the trade deficit increased from $418 million to $2.2 billion, while the foreign debt increased from $5.1 million to $14.8 billion in 1976 and 1981^[2]. A study by the World Bank found that Philippine poverty increased between 1972 and 1978. Real wages for skilled for workers in urban areas fell by 23.8%, and for unskilled laborers the decline was 31.6%^[6]. Authors of the study concluded that "purchasing power has dropped in both urban and rural areas, in all regions, and practically all occupations," and the gap between rich and poor is "worse in the Philippines than elsewhere in the [Southeast Asian] region^[6]. In this context, the material conditions of the working class was greatly in contrast to the lavish opulence of crony capitalism under of the Marcos regime. These are some of the factors that propelled workers to resist the Marcos dictatorship.

These workers protested against the Marcos regime in forms of silent strikes, sit-down strikes, work slowdowns, mass leaves and the stretching of the break period. The first major strike against the dictatorship was in La Tondena, then the largest distillery in Asia. Over 500 workers went on strike, led by student activist Edgar Jopson and veteran labor activists, church peoples, labor unions and the surrounding community. On the second day of the protest, the police cracked down on the area and arrested the workers. Word of the protest spread, becoming one of the symbols of resistance^[9]. Marcos responded by proclaiming a decree that outlawed all strikes across all industries^[2].

The workers continued their protests despite the ban. In the following months, around 200 strikes broke out nationwide, with 80,000 participating. In Manila alone, there were 25 strikes, with 40,000 participating. In 1981, after Marcos nominally lifted Martial Law, 260 strikes took place, with over 76,000 workers involved. Labor unions against the dictatorship increased in number and strength under martial law^[2].

Martyrs and Heroes honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani

• Amado Guinto Bugay-- (Feb. 6, 1954--April 9, 1977) Bugay experienced extreme poverty without enough land and resources. He joined the activist organization, Samahang Demokratikong Kabataan, to motivate other young people to stand up for their rights against landlords, corrupt politicians and exploitative factory owners. He later joined a guerrilla unit in Bataan and was killed during an encounter with government troops^[10].
• Claro Gringco Cabrera-- (Dec. 14, 1956- May 31, 1984) Cabrera was a construction worker turned political activist who organized urban poor communities in Angeles City, Pampanga. He was active in the protests after the assassination of Sen. Ninoy Aquino. He was picked up and taken to a Philippine Constabulary camp, and was later found dead bearing stab wounds^[11].
• Rolando Castro- (April 1, 1954- May 31, 1984) Castro was a tricycle driver and community organizer of the Concerned Citizens of Pampanga. He was active in many protest movements and was picked up by the Philippine Constabulary with Claro Cabrera and Pepito Deheran, and was later found dead near the Apalit river in Pampanga^[11].
• Pepito Lumanta Deheran- (Jan. 6, 1957--June 2, 1984) Deheran was a member of the Concerned Citizens of Pampanga who campaigned for the boycott of the 1984 Batasang Pambansa elections. He was tortured by government troops and was able to give a sworn statement to identify his attackers. While he was in the hospital, he was stabbed to death^[11].
• Macli-ing Dulag- (? 1932-April 24, 1980) He was a leader of the Bugnay Kalinga tribe who led the indigenous people's campaign to stop the construction of a dam across the Chico River. The project would have wiped out 1,400 km² of their tribal territories, including their homes and rice terraces. Dulag was murdered by government soldiers, but the project never pushed through due to strong opposition^[12].
• Pedro Dungoc Sr.- ( ? 1943 - June 22, 1985) Along with Macli-ing Dulag, he led the opposition against the Chico River Dam project. He helped set up a functional literacy program in the localities, and reached out to other sectors to voice out concerns about the project^[13].
• Ronilo Tumbaga Evangelio- (March 28,1960- ? 1984) Evangelio worked at the Batangas City Engineering Office when he joined the Justice for Aquino Justice for All movement and became one of its organizers. He disappeared during a Lakbayan march in March 1984. His body was later found in Silang, Cavite bearing torture marks^[14].
• Alfredo Aillaflor Jasul- (May 23, 1952- January 13, 1973) Jasul was a student at the Far Eastern University when he became a member of the student activist group Kabataang Makabayan. He worked with tenant farmers in Tarlac and Lucban, Quezon. After Martial Law was imposed, such activities were considered subversive. Jasul was killed inside a house in Quezon by government troops^[11].
• Florencio Salvador Pesquesa- (Sept. 21, 1931- ?) Pesquesa was a farm worker who used to work in the Philippine Constabulary. He led a labor union in the Hacienda Inchian in Laguna, often speaking to labor group about the rights of farm workers. Because of his actions, he became in conflict with the management of the estate. He was abducted on January 3, 1979 and was never seen again^[11].
• Rodrigo Ponce Jr.- Ponce was a farmer who worked for the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) in Capiz, and he was assigned to monitor proceedings during the 1986 snap elections. Four persons came in the room and seized ballot boxes. Because he recognized one of the men, he was brought outside and shot dead^[11].
• Sofronio Pongos Roxas (April 12, 1983- Aug. 29, 1984) Roxas was a farmer and lay leader in the Catholic diocese in Kidapawan, North Cotabato. He was branded as a subversive by martial-law authorities, and was arrested twice without being charged in court. He attended mass actions and publicly criticized corrupt officials. He was on his way home from a mill when he was shot by an M16 bullet, killing him instantly^[11].
• Ananteflor Argonza Torres (Sept. 23, 1941- Feb 4. 1986) Torres was a former employee at the Bureau of Customs and later for an export and logging firm. She helped establish the Cagayan Valley Human Rights Organization, which focused on organizing dialogues, marches and protests to raise awareness about military abuses in the province. They were ambushed and killed by unidentified men^[11].
• Danilo M. Aguirre- (Sept. 17, 1955- ?) During Martial Law, Aguirre joined a parish-based group focused on making people aware of their rights. He joined protest actions and political campaigns. He also helped in organizing farmers in Central Luzon. As their group held a meeting, government troops surrounded them. Aguirre's body, along with four other comrades were later found dead^[13].
• Jose E. Alcantara- (June 27, 1941 - June 18, 1981) He was a farmer in Daet, Camarines Norte, where him and his family were constantly threatened by the presence of soldiers. He joined a protest in 1981, which was met by military force. Soldiers fired bullets in the crowd, hitting Alcantara^[15].
• Crispin B. Beltran- (January 7, 1933 – May 20, 2008) 'Ka Bel' had been a major labor leader since the 1950s^[16] and was a founding member of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, an "independent and democratic labor center promoting genuine, militant and anti-imperialist trade unionism"^[17]. He was elected to the Philippine Congress in 1981 to represent the poor and marginalized sectors in society^[18]
• Edwin G. Borlongan (May 14, 1959- June ?, 1982) Borlongan worked in Manila as a driver/mechanic when he participated in the grassroots movement against the Marcos dictatorship. In 1981 he returned to his home in Bulacan and volunteered in helping organize farmers. He was meeting with other four activists when they were arrested by the military. He was later found dead^[18].
• Silme Garciano Domingo- Domingo was born in America from Filipino migrant parents. He helped organize a union among cannery workers in Alaska, promoting the rights of people of color. He established the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipinas, and was active in a US-based coalition against the Marcos regime. He was killed by a gunmen paid by a friend of the dictator. After his death, a United States court ordered the Marcoses to pay $15 million in damages to his family^[18].
• Ceferino A. Flores, Jr- (Feb. 4, 1939- ?) He worked in the hotel industry and helped found the National Union of Workers in the Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries. He also secretly helped members of the anti-dictatorship underground to scout for safe places to meet. One night he disappeared after his shift from work and was never found again^[19].
• Elmer L. Lagarteja- (Aug. 10, 1960- June 1981) Lagarteja was visiting his family in Angono, Rizal when he joined a peaceful protest in a nearby town. The demonstration was violently dispersed by the military, using firearms. Lagarteja was among those killed^[13].
• Teresita E. Llorente- (Feb. 8, 1962) Llorente was the youngest and only woman among the Bulacan martyrs. He was active in her church as a catechist and member of the church choir. She volunteered to help set up a farmer's organization in her province. During one of their meetings, they were surrounded by military troopers. Her body, along with 5 other peasant organizers, was later hound in the municipal hall^[13].
• Renato T. Manimbo- (Sept. 12, 1957- June ? 1982) Manimbo was a founding member of the League of Filipino Students, a "national democratic mass organization committed to advance the national democratic aspirations of the people"^[20]. He was a student at Feati University in Manila where he headed the student council. The school withheld his diploma because of his anti-dictatorship activities. Despite this, he continued to work in youth organizations and among peasants in his home province. He was later arrested during a raid in 1982, and killed while in military custody^[13].
• Constantino R. Medina- (May 3, 1954- June 1982) Medina participated in political activities organized to counter the dictatorship. While he was having a meeting with other volunteers, they were arrested by government forces. The next day, their bodies were found in front of the municipal hall of another town^[13].
• Felixberto Olalia, Sr. - (Aug. 3, 1903- Dec. 4, 1983) Olalia, known by his friends as 'Ka Bert', was a veteran union leader by the time Marcos was first elected president in 1965. He helped establish Masaka, a militant peasant organization which Marcos later proclaimed in a speech as a "number one threat"^[21]. Marcos tried to co-opt Olalia by sending him as an emissary to then-Communist China to establish diplomatic links. Olalia was in China when Marcos declared Martial Law, but the labor leader promptly returned. He was arrested as he arrived at the airport^[21]. Upon release, he continued his activities in the labor movement, particularly under National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), a militant labor federation established by Olalia^[21] NAFLU under Olalia went on to organize the biggest number of strikes launched in the seventies^[21]. Olalia also helped establish human rights organizations to document human rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship. He helped establish the National Coalition for the Protection of Workers’ Rights (NCPWR) and the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR). These coalitions were composed of watchdogs from the labor, professionals and the religious sectors^[21]. Olalia became the first chairperson of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). Its founding congress was attended by allied professionals, religious and anti-Marcos politicians as well as local and foreign media^[21].
• Rolando Olalia- (Sept. 3, 1934- 13 November 1986) Olalia, or 'Ka Lando' as he was called, was a lawyer and son to labor leader Felixberto Olalia, Sr. He was active in the labor movement and was detained twice during martial law. He was the elected chairman of the National Federation of Labor Unions in 1983, and the chair of Kilusang mayo Uno in 1984, and the Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Manggagawa Laban sa Kahirapan. He was abducted along with his colleague, and was found dead the next day beating torture marks^[22].
• Victor D. Reyes- (Dec. 18, 1951- ? ) Reyes was a student activist from Feati University and was involved in labor movements before Marcos declared Martial Law. He engaged in political discussions and helped put up unions. he was also closely associated with Hermon Lagman, a labor lawyer. Both one day failed to show up at a meeting, and they are missing until today^[13].
• Benjamen B. Suyat- (? 1933- ?) Suyat was a tenant farmer who was on his way to a protest when he, along with other friends and neighbors were stopped by soldiers and forbidden to go forward. When they decided to continue towards the protest, they were shot at close range^[23].

See also

• Bulacan Martyrs
• Religious sector resistance against the Marcos dictatorship

References