Jude Fernandez

Jude Thaddeus Fernandez (born October 27, 1957 – September 29, 2023) was a Filipino trade unionist and prominent social activist from militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) who organized workers primarily in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog. On September 29, 2023, he was killed by forces from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (PNP-CIDG) inside his rented residence in Binangonan, Rizal. Killings of trade unionists under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte like those of Fernandez were claimed as major instances of increased and worsened attacks against workers and their rights.

Early life and activism Fernandez was born on October 27, 1957 in Pangasinan, During that time, he was organizing the locality for higher wages and against government corruption.

The police claimed that he resisted arrest and fought back with arms, which the KMU denied based on its fact-finding through the neighbors. According to the investigation joined by KMU, Gabriela Women’s Party representative Arlene Brosas and former Bayan Muna representative Ferdinand Gaite, there were no signs of resistance of Fernandez. His slain body was held back by the PNP and for five days was not recovered by the family and colleagues.

Multiple protests, like the one on October 9, 2023 in front of PNP Headquarters Camp Crame were launched by KMU and other worker unions.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Muñoz, a political prisoner.