ACT: 16 teachers, students hurt in Malacañang protest dispersal

MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen teachers and students were injured following tensions with police at a protest outside Malacañang on Sunday, a day before World Teachers' Day, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said. The group said the protesters were calling for economic relief, including a P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers, a P5,000 Personnel Economic Relief Allowance, increased funding for education, and broader reforms in the education sector. ACT alleged that the personal belongings of five protesters were damaged and that two megaphones were forcibly taken and broken by police. 'We call on all teachers, education support personnel, students, and all members of the education sector to remain firm and stand united against state harassment as we fight for teachers' rights and welfare and quality education for all,' ACT said in a statement on Sunday. ACT Rep. and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio condemned the police dispersal of the teachers' protest. 'The violence carried out by the police against teachers who were peacefully calling for higher salaries and benefits is unacceptable,' he said. Tinio also said the police response was unacceptable, noting that the protesters were peacefully raising legitimate concerns about teachers' salaries and benefits. The Inquirer sought comment from the Philippine National Police and the National Capital Region Police Office, but received no response as of posting time. /mcm