US condemns murder of BPO paralegal officer

MANILA, Philippines — The United States has condemned the killing of trade union paralegal officer Alex Dolorosa of the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) in Bacolod City, stressing that impunity is “unacceptable.”

“The United States joins the Philippine government in condemning the brutal murder of Alex Dolorosa, a trade union leader and LGBTQI+ activist in the Philippines,” the US Department of State said in a statement last Sunday.

“We extend our condolences to Dolorosa’s family and friends, as well as the greater international labor union and LGBTQI+ communities who loved him,” it added.

Dolorosa’s body was found with multiple stab wounds in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City last April 25, three days after he was reported missing – another extrajudicial killing of a workers’ rights advocate in the Philippines, according to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

“The death of Alex Dolorosa adds to the 68 extrajudicial killings of trade unionists, of which only one case has been successfully filed with the court,” ITUC acting general secretary Luc Triangle said.

Dolorosa was a call center employee who became a paralegal and union leader with the BIEN in Bacolod City, an organization that helps call center workers exercise their rights and organize to improve their job conditions.

The BIEN has worked closely with Communications Workers of America and UNI Global Union in organizing campaigns to support internationally recognized labor rights for call center workers on international value chains of US and European multinational companies.

Dolorosa was also a campaigner for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in the industry with the BPO Employees Gay, Lesbian and Allies for Genuine Acceptance and Democracy.

The Commission on Human Rights condemned the killing of Dolorosa as it has started to look into the death of the trade unionist.

“We welcome the Philippine government’s condemnation of the attack and its commitment to thoroughly investigate and to hold the perpetrators accountable. We join with the Philippine government in underscoring that impunity is unacceptable,” the US State Department said.

The ITUC called on the Philippine government to accept in full the report of the International Labor Organization High-Level Tripartite Mission to the country.