The Paradox of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers

JG July 03, 2023

Statement Legal Cooperation Cluster 6 RTF6-ELCAC July 2, 2023 We observe that the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is very selective in its advocacies and on its stand on several vital matters pertaining to public school education.

ACT focuses its efforts and resources on criticizing the government, the Department of Education, the NTF-ELCAC, and the Secretary of Education. Every day for the past week, ACT comes up with an article or propaganda material aimed at vilifying the DepEd and the Department Secretary.

It is very evident that ACT has gained notoriety on finding something to criticize on most issuances made by DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte and her deputies. ACT is rowing in a different direction. It engaged the Department of Education in a counter-productive “arm wrestling match” involving departmental matters that are well-within the powers of the Secretary.

We can only imagine the depth and the width of ACT’s hostility against the DepEd Secretary, who by the way, was elected by the Filipino people as Vice President with an overwhelming majority, including members of the ACT themselves, who see the integrity and the commitment of Sara Duterte to serve the Filipino people.

ACT also claimed that it was “accused” by the DepEd Secretary as a CPP-NPA front organization. This “accusation”, however, finds basis in the first-hand account of several former CPP-NDF-NPA cadres who have surrendered to the government and who have embraced the task of exposing the allied front organizations of CPP-NDF-NPA Surely, the DepEd Secretary, who is a lawyer herself, will not recklessly issue a statement unless she has the facts and the evidence to back up her statements. ACT must understand that it does not have the monopoly of opinion, of the right to criticize, and of the privilege to demand transparency and accountability. In the context of the open hostility being demonstrated by the ACT against the Department of Education, the DepEd Secretary and against the government, it must ask itself the question; “For whom does ACT act?” It appears that the ACT is acting on several agendas that are primarily aimed at undermining the DepEd and the government. Isn’t it better if the ACT will work hand-in-hand with the DepEd to further the welfare of the teachers without undermining the very same government that looks after the welfare of our teachers? We also observe that ACT does not support the peace efforts of the government thru the NTF-ELCAC platform. ACT has also failed to condemn the following atrocities and criminal acts of the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization, such as, but not limited to: 1. The recruitment of IP children by the CPP-NPA-NDF in Salugpungan schools. 2. The infiltration and recruitment by the CPP-NPA-NDF of our students in public elementary schools and high schools. 3. The CPP-NPA atrocities against civilians. 4. The CPP-NPA attacks on schools, the most recent of which is in Masbate. 5. Condemn the sexual opportunism and exploitation of children by the CPP-NPA. We must understand the nature of ACT not only by their actions but also by their inactions. When we come to know when ACT failed to act, we realize where their loyalties lie. To my fellow educators and colleagues in the academe, please exercise prudence and judgment when dealing with ACT. As teachers, you can always demand from ACT, transparency, and accountability. ACT is not immune from these responsibilities. we ask of you, our dear teachers, to stand united with us, in a common goal to attain a just and lasting peace by making our schools free from the communist terrorist influence and threats not only for our sake but for the sake of our children, our nation’s future and the hope of our people. Flosemer Chris Gonzales Spokesperson, RTF6-ELCAC Legal Cooperation Cluster 6