The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has filed a new complaint before the International Labor Organization (ILO), citing alleged "threats" and "red-tagging" against ACT members.
ACT cited that the recent memorandum issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) was an attempt to "profile" teachers involved with their group and union bust.
"Nais din naming bigyang-diin ang malawak at matinding paglabag sa demokratikong karapatan ng mga guro na mismong VP at DepEd Secretary ang numero unong violator," ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio said in a press release.
"Mula sa lantarang red-tagging, panggigipit sa mga unyon, pag-ipit sa CNA negotiations, at kamakailan lang, ang illegal profiling sa mga miyembro ng ACT. Lahat ng ito ay patunay sa mapanganib, mapaniil, at mapanupil na hakbangin ng administrasyon laban sa mga progresibo at makabayang mga guro," he added.
On June 14, DepEd issued a memorandum requesting regional directors and school division superintendents submit a complete list of ACT-affiliated teachers who are enrolled in the agency's automatic payroll deduction system (APDS).
ACT plans to file another ILO complaint in response to the DepEd "profiling" document.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa earlier denied that the memorandum was intended to profile or red-tag ACT members.
He noted that this aims to expedite service delivery and respond to complaints about "inaccurate, questionable, and unwarranted salary deductions for loan remittances and membership dues."
In an effort to combine these records at the central office, DepEd issued a similar request for members of other groups that use the APDS.
On Monday, DepEd stated that it respects the organization's rights and is ready to react to complaints.
ACT also asked the ILO to intervene and help defend the independence of unions in the Philippines, as well as the rights of their members to freely organize and bargain without fear of reprisal from the government.
