Manila, Philippines — Barricaded and snatched placards.
These are some of the incidents that was caught on video during the protest staged by group of teachers near Malacañang on Sunday.
The protest calls for P50,000 entry level salary for teachers, a P5,000 Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), and a higher government funding for the education sector.
ACT teachers Partylist representative Antonio Tinio condemned the violent police dispersal during the protest.
According to report of Alliance of concerned Teachers Philippines, 16 teachers and students were injured from the physical confirtation, while the personal belongings of five individuals were damaged. Two megaphones of the group were also forcibly snatched and broken by the police.
Tinio said that these violent acts are unacceptable and disrespects teachers who are peacefully voicing out their concerns. This also happened a day before the celebration of World Teachers Day.
The lawmaker argued that the demonstration is justified, citing recent findings of the Commission on Audit about ghost classrooms and unutilized DepEd budget.
He called on the Philippine National Police to investigate the incident, and hold the police officers responsible in the injuries sustained by some protesters.
Tinio likewise urged the Commission on Human Rights to conduct its own probe for potential human rights violations committed during the demonstration.
Moreover, he called on teachers and students to continue voicing out their calls for a living salary and other benefits that educators deserve.
Meanwhile, PNP defended the security measures implemented during the protest.
PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Naratez Jr. Noted that the actions and dispersal were aligned with the existing laws, in accordance to the duty of the police force to ensure safe and peaceful protests.
He added that the police presence is not intended to stop people from voicing out their concerns, rather to secure safety of the protesters.
However, he reminded that protesters also have the responsibility to follow the rules and regulations set for such public demonstrations.
Nartatez added that protesters must secure permits, unless the activity was staged in a freedom park.
PNP has now ordered an assessment of the incident, and review measures to ensure smooth dispersals in the future.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News