The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) group condemned the police that allegedly planted weapons in its search of the former office of a union in the city of Santa Rosa, Laguna on Tuesday.
According to the Calabarzon Police report, 8 different guns, 25 explosives, and ammunition were recovered in their raid on the house in Bgy. Market Area.
Personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), CIDG-4A, Police Regional Office 4A, and Santa Rosa Police were carrying a search warrant for a Maritess David alias Teacher Laly.
David, who was identified by police as a member of the Alliance of Workers in the Engklabo (AMEN), the Organized Labor Association in Line Industries and Agriculture (OLALIA-KMU), and the Southern Tagalog Workers’ Union (PAMANTIK-KMU) did not arrive at the house.
Among those seized were 3 M16 rifles, 2 carbine rifles, 3 .45 caliber guns, 9 grenades, 15 improvised explosive devices. Alleged subversive documents, placards, streamers, and election paraphernalia were also confiscated.
Police said the house was allegedly used as a weapons depot. They added that this is where the orientation of new members of AMEN and even members of the rebel group is carried out.
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Weapons confiscated in Laguna police raid allegedly planted: KMU
But PAMANTIK-KMU insisted in a statement that AMEN has not used the office for a year. It has only recently been used to shelter workers in the midst of lockdown and pursuit of those connected to the rebels.
“Nang di matagpuan ang pinapatungkulan ng warrant, nagtanim ang mga [pulis] ng tila isang ‘armory’,” the group said.
OLALIA-KMU released a video taken the night before the raid proving that there were no hidden weapons in the house.
Groups have denounced a series of arrests and killings of labor leaders in Calabarzon, such as the so-called “Bloody Sunday” on March 7.
On Sunday, a PAMANTIK-KMU leader, Dandy Miguel, was shot dead by an unknown assailant.
KMU said they expect more raids on the offices of other progressive groups in the Southern Tagalog region.