The Trillanes Effect
Just when everything seems to be going smooth in time for the Yuletide season, here comes Sen. Antonio Trillanes asking for the resignation of Pres. Arroyo. While nothing is new to that call for the President to step down, his groups was armed with long rifles and holed themselves in the Manila Peninsula.
Trillanes and his co-hort, Gen. Danilo Lim attended the hearing in the Makati Regional Trial Court in the Makati City Hall. Lim is a witness for the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny.
The police later announced a curfew for Friday, from 12 midnight to 5 in the morning. The first thing that came into my mind are the call center agents. I preparing to go to work that time for my 10 pm shift. Authorities clarified however, that night shift workers can still go to their workplace.
Our call center, however, advised their agents. I received this message from our command center.
“The government announced an emergency curfew from 12 mn to 5 am today. Please be informed that people working in the call center are not affected by the curfew. All they need to do is present their company ID and inform that they are working in the call center. We would further appreciate if our agents whose shifts fall on the said curfew hours to report before 12 midnight and or stay in the office until 5 am. We will provide ample are for sleeping quarters.” From 2327, 11-29-2007 20:38
Within the shift itself, when we were already taking calls, there was a message:
Hi Team, due to the curfew imposed by the government for tonight’s shift, we would like to request if you can render 1 to 2 hours preshift or rest day OT. Your assistance is very much appreciated.
Our process analyst also sent us a list of contact numbers of taxi operators.
Nine Stars, R&E, EfE: 330-16-54
MGE: 364-82-60; 363-60-96; 366-62-14; 366-62-87
EMP: 293-59-60
Ace 889-01-80; 889-01-81
Golden 536-26-50
Dollar 927-87-18; 921-23-83
Obech 589-30-27
National 833-06-48
Cruzette 896-60-59
Lady Helen 939-36-38
Lulu 896-23-60
Alkotby 432-24-06
24/7 642-35-25
Nolgaze 695-65-29
Pioneer 252-95-66
Shiro 984-14-73
Tai 772-27-15
Trends 822-93-45; 823-89-51
Xavierville 788-02-04
Basic Taxi 9001447
Avis 831-27-01
WF (aka worst force) also allowed agents to get their Certificate of Employment just in case it would be needed.
The call center was business as usual. We took calls as normal, nothing was unusual, except for the free Rufus breakfast. I don’t know if KFC, McDonalds or Jollibee were open during the curfew hours. BTW, Chowking just opened last Thursday.
With the recent killings of journalists and activists, I can only say that authorities extorting call center agents is not far behind. They have their PSPs, iPods, mobile phones, credit cards, jewelries and 13th month pay. Tiba-tiba na naman.
