May 1st here on the other side of the globe as I write this, ensconced as I am in Oakland, California. Circumstances, to use a handy word, prevented yours truly from having an eye-witness account of the Mayo Uno rally in our part of Bayan Ko. Media advisories nestled in my Inbox, thanks to Karlo Mongaya, Panay regional coordinator of the Kabataan Partylist. Here in a nutshell:

"Panay youth groups will be joining the Kilusang Mayo Uno-led Labor Day protest action tomorrow afternoon. In the morning, we will hold our own separate protest action joined by about a hundred young workers, unemployed and out-of-school youth to highlight the youth's demand for a P125 across-the-board wage hike in the light of tuition increases, job creation for the new graduates, and the improvement of working conditions in general." Other issues included picketing "...SM Delgado to condemn Henry Sy's connection to the massacre of residents in Silverio Compound Paranaque, the cutting of Pine Trees in SM Baguio, and anti-worker policies like contractualization."

Whatever repercussions the Labor Day rallies had yesterday (we are one day behind here in the States), I'll have them soon enough in the local papers. Meanwhile, let me dwell a little on the "contractualization" issue that my husband Rudy tried to do something about but whose concern on the matter didn't bear fruit. Management hires contractuals for a duration not to exceed six months, the so-called probationary period. The law, if it is still the law, hiring beyond six months would mean permanent employment, unless there is a lawful ground to dismiss the employee—lawful grounds that apply to both probationary and permanent employees. Intimations were made for the contractuals to unionize, but to no avail. Hundreds of contractuals are waiting in the wings to be rehired after being "temporarily" laid off, for them to replace another set of the "temporarily" laid off. Vicious cycle? Or a way of spreading jobs around? What does the administration say? What say you, policy-makers? Joblessness is a problem that stares us all in the face.

I just hope there was no "storming of the Bastille" in yesterday's Mayo Uno rallies, no tear gas, no blood spilt, no bones cracked by truncheons. In the event a court case may arise between protagonists and antagonists, remember the Magnificent Seven of the Iloilo Legal Assistance Center (ILAC), on the ready to stand counsel: Attys. Janne Baterna, Steve Cercado, Sul Gamosa, Eli Guiloreza, Pet Milleza, Bong San Felix, and Rudy Lagoc (now deceased), minus one but all magnificent human rights lawyers just the same.

Our basic human rights are google-able, 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, frameable if you wish — for us to fully know and to stand up for anytime, anywhere, any clime. In addition, get this advice sent in by ILAC coordinator Leeboy Garachico. If to be recalled, Leeboy was shot and left for dead, night of April 12, 2007, while his two companions, Luisa Posa-Dominado of SELDA and Nilo Arado of Anakpawis, remain desaparicidos along with farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, and UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, et al. because the list added up. I just hope the list has stopped, will stop.

Know what to do if you believe that you will be arrested or salvaged. Take the following precautions:

1. Do not go out alone. The risk of disappearing or being salvaged has increased because no one witnessed or was willing to testify to the arrest of the person salvaged by the police, military or vigilante (paramilitary) groups.

2. Avoid going places where no one knows you.

3. Do not stay at home or elsewhere alone.

4. Tell your family or friends of the possibility of your being arrested, and what to do in case you are arrested. Tell them specifically who to run to for help, and how to get in touch with them, and where to search for you.

5. Before going out, tell your family or friends where you are going, whom you will see, why and how long do you expect to be out, and what to do if you fail to return on time or fail to reach your destination or keep your appointment.

6. When you go out, always carry adequate identification and avoid carrying anything that could be construed as subversive or incriminating.

7. In case you are arrested, see to it that people know that you are being arrested and by whom. If necessary, shout or make a scene to attract attention to your arrest.

8. Disappearances and salvaging can be prevented or minimized if your family, friends or even bystanders will accompany or follow you and your arresting officers to learn where you are being taken and to show concern over your safety. As soon as possible, they should notify a lawyer or respected member of the community (a priest, teacher, doctor or civic leader, for example), who in turn should try to visit you immediately.

9. During detention, your family and friends should visit you as soon as possible, and send things to you (food, magazines, medicines, clothes, etc.) on days they cannot or are not allowed to visit. Never agree to be taken out of the jail or detention camp by anyone unless accompanied by your lawyer or a member of your family.

10. Even if you have reliable information that there is a plan to arrest or salvage you, it is not advisable to go into hiding. Instead request your lawyer or other responsible person to inquire if there is a warrant for your arrest, and if there is, to arrange for you to present yourself to the proper authorities under adequate guarantees for your safety. Meanwhile, prepare yourself for reviewing your rights and deciding what you will do if you are arrested to protect your safety and enforce your rights.* ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )