MANILA – Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court during the arraignment of four labor leaders facing charges for allegedly violating Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 in connection with Labor Day demonstrations.

In a press release, KMU criticized the Marcos administration, describing the charges as an attack on workers’ and the public’s right to protest.

“Makatarungang ipaglaban ang nakabubuhay na sahod. Makatarungang igiit na panagutin ang mga mandarambong. Makatarungang tumindig para sa kaligtasan at kalayaan habang kinakaladkad tayo sa digma ng gubyerno. Makatarungan ang magprotesta!” said KMU Chairperson Jerome Adonis.

The labor group urged Filipino workers and the public to continue asserting their right to protest and to push for the repeal of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, which it described as a draconian law inherited from the Marcos dictatorship.

“Kung inaatake ang ating karapatang magprotesta, ikasa pa natin ang mas marami, mas malawak, mas militanteng mga protesta! Sa SONA ng Sambayanan, hindi tayo matatakot. Walang batas ang makakapigil sa manggagawa!” Adonis ended.