Albayalde to KMU: Prove you’re not communist front

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde yesterday challenged the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) to prove that they are not a front organization of the communists.

Albayalde issued the challenge to the KMU after the militant labor group called him “epal” and “sipsip.”?Albayalde said he will not dignify the KMU’s name calling in response to his statement that the group is anti-worker and should be blamed for the problems facing workers in the country. 

He dared the KMU to categorically deny its alleged links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).?“Instead of resorting to name calling, why won’t they answer until now the allegations that they are a front organization of the CPP-NPA?” Albayalde said. 

In a video posted on YouTube, a younger looking CPP founder Jose Maria Sison claimed the KMU is one of its legal democratic forces in the Philippines.?KMU chairman Elmer Labog called Albayalde epal, a slang term for someone who always likes to be at the center of attention, and sipsip or a sycophant after the PNP chief called their group anti-worker. ?Animosity between Albayalde and the KMU started when the labor group included the PNP in its anti-worker matrix for its alleged human rights violations against workers.?In response, the PNP chief criticized the KMU, saying the labor group is the one causing troubles which have been driving away investors.?Albayalde stressed his opinion about the KMU remains the same.

“They should stop exploiting our labor sector for their own personal interest. They are the reason why many Filipinos are jobless,” Albayalde said.

“It’s not the government. I believe no government would ever want its citizens to suffer poverty,” he added.?Albayalde vowed the PNP will protect the rights and welfare of Filipino workers by ensuring a peaceful and orderly environment conducive for locals and foreigners to do business in the country. 

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the Filipino youth to take part in the upcoming elections not just by voting but also by volunteering to ensure peaceful and orderly polls.

“We encourage the Filipino youth, Rizal’s ‘fair hope of the Fatherland’ – from Grades 11-12 and college students on summer break – to get involved,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.