09 March 2011 --- Celito Baccay, 31 years old and an active board member of the Maeno Giken Workers Organization (MAGIKWO)-Independent, was shot dead by two unknown assailants at around 10 P.M. of 8 March along Governor’s Drive in Barangay Langkaan, Dasmarinas, Cavite.

 Baccay was a key leader and organizer in the formation of the union in Maeno Giken, a Japanese-owned manufacturer of steel, iron and stainless steel products in the First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE) in Dasmarinas.

Merly Grafe, chairperson of the Solidarity of Cavite Worker (SCW), a militant and progressive labor alliance in Cavite, expresses alarm over the incident as this is the second attempt on the life on an active union leader in Cavite under the P-Noy presidency. On 22 November 2010, Nolan Maquincio, 45, Public Relations Officer of Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Hoffen Industries (United Workers of Hoffen Industries), a union under Olalia Federation (NMHI-OLALIA-KMU) stabbed on his way home from work. Maquincio survived the attack.

 MAGIKWO  is a member of the SCW.

 Both Baccay and Maquincio earned the ire of management of their respective companies for their active role in union organizing. According to Leonila Baccay, wife of Celino, her husband would tell her that the eyes of the management have always been hot on him ever since he initiated the union formation in 2009. In his latest account, Leonila said that her husband appeared to have angered the management even more after he turned down last week a promotion offered to him. The promotion would have disqualified him from union leadership and membership.

 In an initial interview with Leonila, a certain Celedonio sent her a text message past 10 PM 8 March that her husband was shot in front of a church in Langkaan. Baccay appears to be on his way home as he earlier told his wife that he will work overtime until 10 PM.

 Preliminary reports from friends and witnesses related to Leonila that two unidentified men, who appeared to be waiting for him, flagged Baccay’s motorcycle and shot him pointblank. Two shots hit him on the right side of his head and chest. He was rushed to the De La Salle University Medical Center but was pronounced dead on arrival at 10:45 PM.

Baccay is now lie in state at his home in Carmona, Cavite. He is survived by his wife and two children.