Striking Sumifru workers seek sanctuary in Compostela church

Striking workers are now seeking refuge in a Catholic church here in Compostela after hundreds of unidentified men dispersed their strike camp in seven Sumifru packing plants early morning of October 11.

Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyafa Farms (NAMASUFA) president Paul John Dizon said almost all union members were hurt in the “brutal dispersal” of more or less 300 unidentified men accompanied by the members of military and police officials.

Four months pregnant and union member Robilina Limo was kicked by a “strikebreaker” in her upper abdomen during dispersal in Packing Plant 115.

She is complaining of abdominal pain and dizziness.

“I shouted to stop them but they did not listen, instead one of them with his face covered with cloth kicked me,” said Limo.

Limo is working PP 115 for 8 years as part of the processing department.

While Packing plant 250 union president Wilson Baticula is suffering from body ache and now vomits blood after he was hit and punched several times by different men during dispersal.

Baticula has stitches in his upper lips and bruises all over his body. He also has difficulties with walking and talking.

His companion, union member Angelito Jaca was punched by five men for helping Baticula. Jaca said that upon seeing Baticula who vomits blood he immediately helped him but strike breakers turn to him and punched many times.

He has bruises in his left arms and injuries in his chest and legs.

“I beg them to stop but they did not listen to me. They only stop punching when they saw me lying on the floor” said Jaca.

Namasufa’s medical team accounted several injured union members in seven dispersed strike camps on Thursday morning mostly because of stones, punches and smashes.

Four of the seven injured workers were brought to the hospital for a medical treatment while others still need to undergo check-up after complaining of body pain and injury. (davaotoday.com)