Laguna union leader shot dead

CALAMBA CITY — Two motorcyle-riding men gunned down a leader of a labor union while he was on his way home in Canlubang, Laguna early Thursday night, police said.

Superintendent Roland Bustos, Calamba City police chief, said the victim, Diosdado Fortuna, 50, president of the Union of Filipino Employees of Nestlé Cabuyao, was on his way home to Barangay Lawa here on board a motorcycle when he was attacked in Barangay Paciano in Canlubang town,

Fortuna, who was also the chairman of Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa ng Timog Katagalugan and chairman of Anakpawis-Southern Tagalog, sustained two gunshot wounds from a caliber .45 pistol.

He was rushed to the Calamba Doctors Hospital where he later died due to massive organ failure.

Police said Fortuna’s attackers fled toward Rodriguez Village in Barangay Lawa.

In a statement, the management and employees of Nestlé Philippines condemned the killing.

"We condemn this act of violence and extend our sympathies to Fortuna’s family and relatives. We are prepared to extend help to his family and to the Calamba police for a swift resolution of its investigation," said Nestlé spokesman Pedro Dy-Liacco.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno also denounced the killing.

The Region 4 police command has formed a task force to investigate the case.