ACT Teachers rep to Briones: Speak up on Bukidnon teacher’s shooting, defend our educators
MANILA, Philippines — Education Sec. Leonor Briones should take a stand and break her silence on the shooting of a public school teacher in Valencia City, Bukidnon, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro demanded Thursday.
In a press briefing, the party-list representative castigated Briones and the Department of Education’s (DepEd) supposed silence on the shooting of Zhydee Cabañelez, 32, an Alliance of Concerned Teacher member, in front of her students and husband, Ramil, last Tuesday.
According to police reports, four unidentified armed men on board two motorcycles entered the Dalit Elementary School in Sitio Dalit, Barangay Lumbayao in Valencia City at around 8:00 a.m. of that day. Cabañelez and her husband, who avoided the gunshots, are both in stable condition.
READ: Bukidnon teacher shot in front of pupils inside classroom
“Hindi pa natin nariringgan ng komento o ano ‘yung gagawing ng Department of Education dito pati yata tulong ay ‘di pa naa-afford dito sa mag-asawang ito,” Castro lamented.
(We have yet to hear any word, plan or assistance for the couple from the Department of Education.)
“Kaya si Secretary Liling, magsalita ka naman, ipagtanggol mo ‘yung iyong teacher, dalawang teacher ito na mag-asawa na pinasok ng riding in tandem na DDS na ‘to eh, death squad na pumapasok sa mga eskwelahan,” the progressive lawmaker added.
(Secretary Briones, please speak up and defend your teacher, defend the couple who were gunned down by “riding in tandem” that are DDS or death squad members who attack schools.)
Castro also said the attack against Cabañelez and her husband was allegedly triggered by the Philippine National Police’s “Red-tagging” and “profiling” of activist educators.
“Magkakaiba ang mga report pero ang malinaw lang sa pangyayaring ito, ibinunga na ito ng profiling at red-tagging na ginagawa ng PNP sa mga myembro ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers,” the congresswoman said.
(There are contradicting reports about the incident but this case clearly shows the effect of the profiling and red-tagging of PNP on members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.)/ac
