Philippines: HANDS OFF KMU CHAIRPERSON JEROME ADONIS!
August 16, 2026: German-Filipinino Friends: Call for Solidarity with Jerome Adonis, General Secretary of the Kilunsang Mayo Uno union in the Philippines: Drop all trumped-up charges against labor leaders and activists! Today, August 13, 2026, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Jerome Adonis was subjected to an attempted arrest after a warrant was issued over fabricated charges of violating Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code in connection with this year’s Labor Day protest. On this same day 44 years ago, under the Marcos Sr. dictatorship, former KMU Chairperson Felixberto Olalia Sr. and twelve other unionists were also arrested in Manila.
Jerome Adonis is a prominent labor leader who represents not only KMU but also plays a v ital ole in the National Wage Coalition (NWC), an alliance of major labor centers pushing for wage increases, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), a confederation of the biggest labor centers in the world. He ran for a Senate seat in the 2025 national elections underthe Makabayan Coalition. He is also a staunch anti-imperialist leader and currently serves as the 2nd Deputy Secretary General of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS).
The threat of arrest comes at a crucial time. Adonis led the recent wave of protests demanding
living wages after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the implementation of the Php 85 wage increase in Metro Manila.
Prior to this, he led the Philippine Workers’ Delegation to the International Labour Conference (ILC), where he advocated for living wages, job security, and freedom of association.
Adonis has also been vocal against the Marcos Jr. regime’s proposed Pax Silica initiative. He asserts that it poses a threat to the lives and livelihood of the Filipinos by enabling the theft of our land and resources and trampling on our national sovereignty. This stance was among the issues Adonis and the rest of KMU highlighted during the recent Labor Day mobilization.
Instead of hearing out the genuine concerns of Filipino workers, the government responded by filing trumped-up cases against Adonis, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK) Spokesperson Jacq Ruiz, and other leaders and activists.
The attack on Adonis, Ruiz, and other labor leaders is a direct attack on the entire labor movement and the fundamental rights of the Filipino people. It follows a pattern of criminalizing dissent and further entrenches the culture of impunity in the country. This attack on our ranks and our very rights demand our resistance, our solidarity, and our collective action.
Here’s how you can show your support:
1. Issue public statements of solidarity calling for the junking of the trumped-up charges against Adonis, Ruiz, and other activists and leaders
2. Participate in the Social Media Rally on August 15
● Post photos and videos with the calls: Hands Off Jerome Adonis! Hands Off Filipino Workers! Defend the Right to Protest! Junk BP880!
3. Provide direct support
● Contribute to the bail and legal defense fund. Please see bank details below.
For international transfers:
Bank name: Eastwest Bank
Account name: Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
Account number: 300001854007
SWIFT Code: EWBCPHMMXXX
or
Wise:
@joannemarianbelenc
cesariojoanne@gmail.com
Account Name: Joanne Cesario
For local transfers:
GCASH
Maria Elena P
09519251037
Send solidarity messages to:
email: kilusangmayouno@gmail.com
copy to: vorstand@dp-freunde.de
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