3 police intel officers ordered relieved amid 'profiling' of ACT members

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said he had ordered the relief of intelligence officers who allegedly leaked information on the supposed profiling of members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).

In a press conference, Albayalde mentioned that the three relieved intelligence officers came from Manila City's Station 3, Quezon City's Station 6 and in Zambales province.

"I already ordered for all the intelligence officers to be relieved. Initially pina-relieve muna namin 'yung mga intel officers na 'to na nagleak pending investigation," Albayalde said.

"Kung ganong intel officer, hindi dapat nagli-leak 'yung trabaho mo, if really may utos na ganon. You have to do your job discreetly," he added.

Albayalde vowed that he would seriously check on the matter.

"As far as I'm concerned, wala akong pinirmahang ganyan," he said. "I will look into this, but as far as I'm concerned wala akong pinirmahang ganyan."

Albayalde also clarified that this kind of action is only part of the police's intelligence monitoring system.

"This is part of our intelligence monitoring lamang ito. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kapag pinrofile ka... remember if you are part of... kung talagang sila ay proud na member ng ACT... ang tanong diyan, bakit ka takot kung wala ka naman ginagawang masama," he said.

The PNP chief also said this could be a way for authorities to check if organizations are in any way linked to communist groups.

"Kaya siguro 'yan kinukuha ng intelligence officers, they're profiling kung saan talaga sila affiliated. There are pronouncements coming from the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) na ito 'yung mga front organizations nila," Albayalde said.

"This does not come from us or the military... pronouncement ni Joma Sison 'yan. Inindentify niya 'yung organizations na ito," he added, referring to Jose Maria Sison, the self-exiled founder of the CPP.

For his part, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said this kind of information should never be publicized.

"Kung meron mang ganyan it's internal... That is not intended for public viewing. The memo itself walang iligal diyan... na magtanong ka ng impormasyon," Eleazar said.

ACT, in a statement, claimed that police officers have been approaching officials of local schools and asking for a list of ACT members in their schools.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) already expressed concern over the issue, saying the move violates the ACT members rights to privacy and association.

The CHR urged policemen to be transparent and adhere to the rule of law. —KBK, GMA News