Manila Strike to Protest Death of Olalia Fizzles
A general strike called to protest the murder of trade union leader Rolando Olalia fizzled today, easing fears of major political upheaval in the Philippine capital.
The call by Olalia’s 600,000-member May First Movement for a “national day of indignation” went largely ignored.
Spokesmen for the movement said about 30,000 workers at 120 factories took part--far from the numbers they had predicted--but added that the strike was a good start and would continue until Olalia’s burial on Thursday. Schools in the city called off classes.
Strikers burned tires and strewed nails on the streets, but the protesters avoided confrontation with police.
Small groups of workers held marches and rallies, including one outside President Corazon Aquino’s palace.
Only one of about a dozen major bus companies joined the strike. Soldiers escorted passenger buses that remained in service.
Olalia, 50, leader of the May First Movement and chairman of the People’s Party, the nation’s largest leftist political group, was found dead Thursday, a day after he was kidnaped. His driver also was killed.
The union and other leftist groups blamed Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile for the killing and demanded that Aquino fire him. Enrile has brushed aside the accusations.
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