PNP denies ‘inventory’of ACT members

MANILA, Philippines — There is no order for police agents to visit schools nationwide for an “inventory” of members or allies of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.

“As far as I know, I have not signed any order to conduct such inventory against ACT members or allies,” Albayalde said.

For his part, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar also expressed surprise over the “inventory” issue but he explained that it is just normal for the PNP to monitor any group perceived to be aligned with the communist movement.

“I have not issued any order for that purpose. I do not know anything about that,” Eleazar said. “But our job in the PNP calls for the monitoring of any kind of threat against the government and that act is not illegal.”

Albayalde and Eleazar issued their statements amid accusations by ACT secretary-general Raymond Basilio that police intelligence agents were visiting schools in Tarlat, Bularan, Cebu, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Zambales, Manila, Navotas, Malabon and Agusan del Sur since the start of the year to inventory ACT members and allies.

“Some areas, like Manila and Zambales, even have memo from the division offices of the Department of Education,” Basilio said.

“In other cities, there is no memo, but requests come in via (short messaging service) or messages to mobile phones or via Facebook messenger, and some orders are verbal,” he added.

At least three schools in Manila’s third district received visits from police intelligence officers, according to Manila Public School Teachers Association president Solita Diaz.

Police intelligence officers visited Cecilio Apostol Elementary School in Santa Cruz, Lakandula Elementary School in Tondo and Ramon Avanceña High School in Quiapo last Friday.

Diaz said all three schools are under the third district of Manila.

ACT national chairperson Joselyn Martinez claimed that police intelligence officers also visited Maysilo Elementary School in Malabon last Thursday and Villamor High School in Tondo.

Police also talked to the teacher federation heads of Las Piñas and Antipolo, Martinez added.