To the Consul General,

We, the undersigned Catalan trade unions, political organizations, and international solidarity allies, express our profound outrage and firm condemnation regarding the intensifying state campaign to criminalize dissent and suppress legitimate trade union activities in the Philippines.

We have mobilized our members and allies today to protest against the arrest warrants issued by Judge Bernadette A. Eugenio-Tumacder against trade union leaders Jerome Adonis (Chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno – KMU), Jacq Ruiz (Spokesperson of Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan – KMK), and James Anajao (Sandigan ng Manggagawa ng Quezon City). These charges under Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code («Tumults and Other Disturbances of Public Order»), stemming from a Labor Day rally on May 1, 2026, represent a blatant attempt to silence workers fighting for living wages, job security, and basic economic justice.

As highlighted by international trade union bodies including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), ITUC-Asia Pacific, and human rights organizations, the weaponization of the judicial system against trade unionists is a grave violation of fundamental labor rights. We note with grave concern that warrants were issued without preliminary investigation, depriving the respondents of their right to submit counter-affidavits. These public disturbance charges had previously been dismissed by the prosecutor’s office for lack of evidence, revealing a clear pattern of judicial harassment intended to disrupt union organizing during a period of mounting worker protests.

The right to organize, assemble peacefully, and bargain collectively are universally recognized human rights protected under International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, to which the Philippine government is a signatory. Fighting for a living wage and resisting economic hardship is not a crime.

Our demands

In unity with the Philippine working class, we demand that the Philippine Government and relevant judicial authorities:

• Immediately withdraw and drop all trumped-up charges and arrest warrants against Jerome Adonis, Jacq Ruiz, James Anajao, and all targeted trade unionists.
• Halt the judicial harassment, red-tagging, and intimidation of labor leaders, organizers, and human rights defenders across the country.
• Uphold and guarantee full respect for workers’ rights, freedom of association, and the right to assembly.

As solidarity allies in Catalonia and Spain, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, raise awareness among Catalan and Spanish workers, and call upon relevant national and international bodies to hold the Philippine government accountable for violations of workers’ rights.

Solidarity with the Filipino workers! Hands off trade unionists!

Sincerely,

References

• Arrest warrants issued vs 3 Labor Day protesters
• Philippines: ITUC-Asia Pacific expresses serious concerns over arrest warrant against KMU Chair
• Warrant against labor leaders seen as part of crackdown on dissent
• ILO Convention C-87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise)
• ILO Convention C-98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining)