PAL says protesters have no right to hamper operations

Business Mirror
October 21-22, 2011
By Lenie Lectura

FLAG carrier Philippines Airlines (PAL) yesterday said protesters encamped at the parking lot in front of its Inflight Center near Naia Terminal 2 have no right to hamper the airline’s business by blocking entrances and exits of the said facility.

In a statement, PAL counsel Clara de Castro said protesting former workers have been separated from the airline as of October 1. “While they’re contesting their separation from the company, they have no right whatsoever to prevent PAL employees and designated service providers from using the Inflight Center,” she said.

De Castro explained that PAL’s Inflight Center is home to PAL’s cabin services department and the former PAL kitchen which shall be taken over by its new service provider, SkyKitchen Philippines Inc.

Since September 27, right after the former PAL workers’ wildcat strike, De Castro said the group of protesters have set up camp in front of the said facility and have reportedly taken upon themselves to block legitimate PAL employees and vehicles from going in and out of the premises.

“Apart from the usual heckling and other acts of harassment, the protesters have also set up barricades and an illegal “checkpoint.” Drivers of PAL, its suppliers, service providers and even garbage collectors are harassed to yield to illegal inspections of their vehicles before they are allowed to enter or exit the gate,” De Castro said.

“These acts, taken together, constitute an illegal blockade of a privately-owned enterprise. They are in fact taking the law into their own hands by so doing. PAL is being prevented from performing its day-to-day business for which it will definitely sue for damages,” the PAL counsel added.

De Castro said that if protesters are true to their word and follow the judge’s orders, they should respect PAL’s right to free and unhampered use of its own facilities. “After all, there’s no question that PAL is the owner of the facility and the building is essential to its operations,” she stressed.