Cebu labor groups brand Duterte 'ENDOKing'

CEBU, Philippines —  Labor group, Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo-KMU), has joined the Filipino people nationwide in marking President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Despite heightened police presence in various areas in Cebu City, multi-sectoral organizations led by BAYAN-Central Visayas marched towards Colon Street to voice out their dissatisfaction with the Duterte regime and called for the ouster of Duterte.

“Sa lima ka tuig ni Presidente Digong sa posisyon, puro palpak ang iyang mga saad ngadto sa mga mamumuo, sama sa pagwagtang sa kontraktwalisasyon ug sa pagpadaghan sa trabaho,” said Jaime Paglinawan, chairperson of AMA Sugbo-KMU in a statement.

Paglinawan said that despite promising to generate more jobs for Filipinos, a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 12 million Filipinos are jobless.

He said that it is also under the Duterte regime that low wages continue to be institutionalized.

Targeting and red-tagging of labor leaders and unionists has also been sustained by the Duterte regime, with KMU data reporting 56 state-sponsored killings of workers.

In response, Filipino workers also brand Duterte as “ENDOKing,” referring to the end-of-contract contractualization scheme President Duterte continues to push, placing millions in poverty.

“Dapat lang aning ENDOKing kay mahimong ENDOterte (End Duterte),” Paglinawan commented.

Paglinawan further urged Filipino workers to stand together with different sectors of society in putting an end to the Duterte regime.

Sanlakas-Cebu secretary-general Teody Navea also said that for the last five years, nothing substantial changes happened which Duterte promised in his previous SONA.

“The failure of Duterte's COVID response will further validate his total blunder and failure to address the problems confronted by the people brought about by the pandemic. Today's SONA is useless and must end. The best recourse for this government is to fold up and good riddance would be the best gift for the Filipino people,” Navea said in his speech before the community action held at the pier area in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) expressed gratitude towards militants for a peaceful cooperation during the holding of stage protest in line with the SONA.

This is after militants have been observed to be compliant with the existing health protocols during their conduct of rallies.

Police respond to ensure adherence to health safety protocols especially with the rising cases of COVID-19 in Cebu City. — CNU Intern Brigida Ramos Gerzon, GMR (FREEMAN)