‘Elementary errors’ doom teachers spying claims

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday welcomed the dismissal of the petition filed by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) against the Philippine National Police (PNP) over alleged spying against members of their groups.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, also chided the militant teachers’ petition describing the same as half-baked and full of elementary errors.

“We welcome the decision of the CA in outrightly dismissing the petition filed by the ACT which contained malicious and groundless accusations that the PNP has allegedly violated the constitutional right of freedom of association of their members,” he said.

Malaya also called the petition half-baked and full of elementary errors while voicing his dismay to the group.

He said the petition was nothing more than a black propaganda to gain some publicity especially now that elections are just few months away.

The CA yesterday dismissed the petition filed by ACT, citing that it failed to specifically submit certified true copies of the assailed memoranda issued by the PNP’s intelligence units.

Malaya said they were dismayed because instead of holding a dialogue with them, ACT chose to go to the courts to politicize the issue in a bid to increase name recall and media mileage.

The PNP organization also welcomed the decision.

“We welcome the denial by the CA of the petition filed by the ACT seeking court action against lawful performance of duty by the PNP to protect the state from its enemies,” Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said.