Gunmen Kill Leader of Philippine Union That Struck Bases
Gunmen on Monday ambushed and killed the head of a union that recently staged a 10-day strike at U.S. military bases, police said.
Remigio Simbillo, 44, president of the Philippine Civilian Employees Assn. at Clark Air Base, was shot down a few hundred yards from his home north of Manila.
His driver, Rufino Gamer, who was uninjured, said at least six gunmen opened fire on their car with automatic rifles and machine guns, then sprayed Simbillo with bullets as he tried to run for cover.
A police spokesman said the attack might have been linked to the strike at Clark and the Subic Bay Naval Base in March.
Local sources close to the Communist New People’s Army said the rebels felt Simbillo was not firm enough in pressing union demands and enforcing picketing at Clark.
They said the previous president, Resurrecion Nazareno, was also killed after a strike at Clark.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
