Union leader arrested for taking strike action

Piston National President and Kilusang Mayo Uno National Council Member George San Mateo was arrested this week in controversial circumstances for organising an ‘illegal’ strike. San Mateo had been about to enter the Justice building to post bail when the police swooped on him and arrested him. The charges against him relate to his involvement in the successful two day strike by thousands of Jeepney drivers earlier this year. San Mateo’s arrest is quite clearly an attempt by the government of President Duterte to intimidate activists and crack down on workers’ organising.

Piston National President and Kilusang Mayo Uno National Council Member George San Mateo was arrested this week in controversial circumstances for organising an ‘illegal’ strike. San Mateo had been about to enter the Justice building to post bail when the police swooped on him and arrested him. The charges against him relate to his involvement in the successful two day strike by thousands of Jeepney drivers earlier this year. San Mateo’s arrest is quite clearly an attempt by the government of President Duterte to intimidate activists and crack down on workers’ organising.