Woe to the state that considers teachers its enemies - ACT

Press Release
February 8, 2019

QUEZON CITY – The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed alarm over Philippine National Police's (PNP) announcement that intelligence operations on their organization will continue following the Court of Appeals (CA) dismissal of ACT's petition to declare PNP's profiling of its members unconstitutional.

"This is precisely what we were worried about – PNP is now taking CA's decision as a nod to their illegal operations. It has emboldened state forces to continue and intensify their attacks against our organization," stated Raymond Basilio, ACT Secretary General.

Earlier today, PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomed the ruling of CA, adding that they will continue surveilling on 'enemies of the state.'

"They used to have a hard time getting their stories straight when asked about the profiling, but now the truth's out. They consider teachers, as well as anyone else who dare fight for their rights and welfare, as enemies of the state. What they fail to realize, however, is they've also exposed themselves to be the real enemy of the people," said Basilio.

ACT said that such a stance taken on by state forces has "no place in a democratic country like ours."