The Prudential Customs Brokerage Services Inc. has filed a petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order with prayer for a permanent injunction, before the National Labor Relations Commission in Cebu against the striking union members at the port of Dumaguete,.

Joel Obar, PCBSI counsel, said the element of lawlessness must cease immediately if negotiations between humans are to take place.

The cargo handling operations at the port has come to a complete halt because of the strike, but Obar said the company has a genuine and professional intention to serve the public.

Porters staged the strike when PCBSI refused to absorb all of them, upon its assumption of the arrastre and port operation. The company had said that it is willing to rehire the port workers, provided they undergo screening.

Last-ditch efforts for both parties to come to terms initiated by Dumaguete Mayor Agustin Perdices, Gov. Emilio Macias II and Rep. George Arnaiz (NegOr, 2nd District) failed.

Trade and Communications Undersecretary Ma. Elena Bautista, who was in the city recently, said she was surprised at the action of the strikers.

She said she was herself blocked entry to the port while on board a vehicle owned by PCBSI.

Meanwhile, Perdices has written Labor Secretary Marianito Roque about the dispute, but the DOLE informed him that it has no jurisdiction over the case.

The PCBSI was also told to seek a TRO from the NLRC.

Obar said he hopes there will be no untoward incidents, as the police has been allegedly warned by the strikers of a possible bloodshed, if it orders escort for cargoes to the pier beyond the 50-meter radius from the picket line.

Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, city police chief, said children and women are being used by strikers as shields in confronting the police if they go beyond the required distance.*JG

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