The Prudential Brokerage Customs Services Inc. yesterday vowed to address the conflict at the port of Dumaguete City, even as the management said its efforts are not being reciprocated.

Legal counsel Joel Obar of the PBCSI said the problem at the port needs decisive action because it is becoming the rule of the mob.

“Social justice is only for the deserving and should not be used to disregard the law and order.  Justice is given to the poor because he deserves it and not because he is poor,” Obar pointed out.

Provincial coordinator Felizardo Calimpong of the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, on the other hand, said the action of the port strikers is within their constitutional rights to air their grievances.

The problem must end once and for all for the greater public interest, and not only for a few spoiled brats, Obar said, referring to a small number of porters who have yet to file their application for accommodation.

He reiterated an earlier statement of the PBCSI in opening its doors to the strikers, provided they follow the legal screening process.

The PBCSI has taken over the arrastre and other port operations at the port. Some of the porters demanded that they be rehired based on a negotiations agreement, but the company said it has to screen the porters first.*JG

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