PNP intel officials relieved for ‘leaked’ info on ACT teachers ‘profiling’

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has ordered the relief of officials of intelligence units that have “leaked” information on the supposed profiling of teachers associated with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).

Albayalde said Monday that among those he relieved are the chiefs of the intelligence units of Manila Police District’s Station 3, Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Station 6, and chief of the intelligence unit of Zambales police.

Reports earlier said intelligence operatives have been visiting schools, asking to identify teachers who are members or allies of ACT.

Albayalde denied issuing such order, but said intelligence officers should not have given such information especially if it will cause “unnecessary panic”  to the parties concerned.

“I will check on that. As far as I am concerned wala akong pinirmahan na ganyan (I have not signed anything like that),” he said in a press briefing.

Albayalde said he has yet to check which police official has issued the directive, although he admitted that not all memorandum of directorates of the PNP requires his signature “especially if it’s a routine function” of the unit.

“The different directorates of the PNP, they can always give out memorandum lalo na (especially) if it falls under their functional jurisdiction,” he said.

He also rejected the term “profiling” as claimed in media reports and said that the PNP normally conducts monitoring of members of other organizations.

“Sabi nga natin, this is not profiling. It has been part of our intelligence monitoring lang naman (Like what we said, this is not profiling. It has just been part of our intelligence monitoring),” he said.

Albayalde said the PNP acknowledges the feeling that “profiling” from the police may trigger to someone, but said teachers associated with ACT should not fear if they have not done anything illegal.

“Remember if you are a member, kung talagang sila ay proud doon sa pagiging member ng ACT, anong ikakatakot mo naman kung wala ka naman ginagawang masama?” he said.

(Remember if you are a member, if they are really proud of being a member of ACT, what will they be afraid of if they have not done anything wrong?) /je