ITUC-Asia Pacific expresses serious concern over the issuance of an arrest warrant against Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU/May First Movement) Chairperson Jerome Adonis in connection with the 2026 Labour Day protest.
According to KMU, the warrant concerns an alleged violation of Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code (Tumults and Other Disturbances of Public Order) with regard to the Labour Day mobilisation, during which workers exercised their right to peaceful protest and raised legitimate demands for living wages and workers’ rights.
A warrant of arrest was also issued to Jacq Ruiz, spokesperson of Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK/Movement of Women Workers), and other activists.
“The criminalisation of dissent has no place in a democracy. Trade unionists must be free to organise, speak out, protest and hold governments accountable without fear of arbitrary arrest or prosecution for carrying out legitimate and peaceful trade union activities,” said Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific.
Shoya Yoshida added:
“The arrest and prosecution of a trade unionist in connection with the Labour Day mobilisation risk having a chilling effect on workers and trade unionist seeking to make their voice heard. The right to protest must be respected, not punished.”
Standing in solidarity with Jerome Adonis, the KMU, and all workers exercising their fundamental rights, ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on the Philippine authorities to immediately drop the charges against Brother Jerome and other trade unionists. Any allegation of individual unlawful conduct must be addressed separately from their legitimate trade union activities, strictly in accordance with due process and on the basis of independently verifiable evidence. The authorities must ensure that criminal law is not used to intimidate trade unionists or suppress legitimate trade union activities and dissent.
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