Transmision-Piston, a group of drivers and operators in Southern Mindanao, condemned state forces for intimidating and harassing one of its organizers last week. The group reported that a certain Danilo Amit and three other individuals who identified themselves as agents of the 10th ID went to the house of its organizer Ricardo Baron, 71, in Agdao, Davao City on May 9. They “talked” to him for two hours.

The group said Amit forced Baron to “surrender” and said his name was listed in a military “masterlist.” Other prominent labor leaders in the region were also on this masterlist. He was also interrogated regarding his current activities and the addresses of his fellow members of Transmision-Piston and leaders of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao. The agents even took pictures of him.

Transmision-Piston said Baron organized and coordinated campaigns against the anti-poor Davao Bus Project that will result in the phaseout of public utility jeepneys (PUVs) in the city.

The group believes that this repression and silencing by the 10th ID is in conjunction with the counter-insurgency campaign of the National Task Force-Elcac which is targeting mass leaders, critics and anti-government individuals.

The group fears for the safety of Baron and its other members, especially after the 48th IB’s abduction of labor organizer William Lariosa on April 10 in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon. Before the abduction, the military have been intimidating Lariosa and his family.