Philippines:
International support overwhelming following massacre

In response to a world-wide call for solidarity last week, 
thousands of messages have been sent to government officials, 
non-governmental organisations and unions in the Philippines. 
Fourteen people were killed, including two children aged two and 
five, when police fired on striking workers on November 16.

The call for solidarity was made through the LabourStart website 
(www.labourstart.org) and according to a letter from an activist
in one of those striking unions they have been "flooded" with messages". 

The weekend before last some 10,000 people participated in the 
funeral of a couple of the victims. A tribute to the workers who 
died was held on the Saturday night at the location of the 
massacre.

According to a report received by LabourStart from the 
Philippines, union officials "informed the people about the 
strong international support to the striking workers and the 
protest against state terrorism.

"We mentioned the campaign being generated by and read some of 
the letters and announced the partial numbers of protests 
generated. The workers of Hacienda Luisita, the victims and their 
families would like to express their utmost gratitude to the huge 
support on their struggle", the report said.

The protest messages included demands for an investigation of the 
massacre, the dropping of all criminal charges against the 
strikers and the re-hiring of those for further information on 
the massacre (see Guardian 24-11-04) or visit www.labourstart.org for 
updates and to send a message.