BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A labor leader here said private guards need not resort to bearing grenades or taking hostages if only their grievances could be heard.
To Ronald Ian Evidente, this lesson stands out clearly in the case of Alchie Paray, the disgruntled guard who held hostage several people in a nine-hour drama in the Metro Manila city of San Juan that gripped the nation 2 March.
Police have charged Paray with criminal cases and has detained him.
Evidente, however, said Paray’s grievances over his dismissal from work have apparently been unheard, a sad fact for guards who are being treated like militarymen by security agencies that are being run like military organizations. (READ also: Labor group call on DOLE to inspect blue guard agencies)
Which is not supposed to be the case, Evidente said.
A paralegal who handles cases for and represents workers, Evidente said there were periods several years ago when eight out of 10 cases he handled were related to complaints from private guards.
“This issue is not only about an alleged criminal act but what happens in their lives, especially their rights and benefits,” Evidente said.
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