The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Wednesday vowed to file cases against the teachers of students allegedly recruited by leftist organizations.
“We will be filing cases against the teachers for child abuse in relation to the Child and Youth Welfare Act, PNP-CIDG director Major General Amador Corpus said during the hearing of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said his department overwhelmingly supports the resurrection of the Anti-Subversion Act, a move that would defeat the Communist Party of the Philippines, its military arm the New People’s Army, and its front organizations to overthrow the government through violence, deceit, propaganda, and other illegal means.
He said the revival of the anti-subversion act seemed inevitable to finally put an end to the conflict that had claimed the lives of some 100,000 policemen, soldiers, government officials, and innocent civilians.
“If we truly want to end this scourge of society, the Anti-Subversion Act is urgent, critical and inevitable, Año said.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared Nov. 17 of every year as National Students Day (Republic Act 11369) to recognize the contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy.
Under the law, ‘‘the state recognizes the value of inculcating love of country and social responsibility among the youth and supports the observance of International Students’ Day.”
Corpus said a teacher was liable for child abuse if he or she would fail to inform the parents or guardian that a child was no longer going to school for five days or more.
Asked by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, committee chairman, how the PNP-CIDG would identify the teachers, Corpus said they would coordinate with the parents of the students.
“We will be coordinating with the complainants for the identification of the teachers. Once we have the pieces of evidence, appropriate cases will be filed, Corpus said.
The PNP-CIDG earlier filed charges of kidnapping and violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003; the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act; and the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity against the group Anakbayan for allegedly recruiting minors. With PNA
