ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS
2/F Teachers’ Center, Mines St. cor. Dipolog St., Bgy. VASRA, Q.C. 
Telefax 453-9116 Mobile 0920-9220817 Email act_philippines@ yahoo.com
SEC Registration 0108727 TIN 236-090-727- 000

March 15, 2007

NEWS RELEASE
Reference: Antonio L. Tinio (0920-9220817)
ACT Chairperson

Teachers pay tribute to colleagues killed by military death squads

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers held a program at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani this afternoon to commemorate the deaths of nine teachers who have been victimized by extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo government. Public school teachers and university professors held a program consisting of speeches, songs, and poetry. They offered flowers and candles in memory of the martyred teachers.

ACT paid tribute to the following teachers killed by suspected military agents:

Rodriga Apolinar, 54, a teacher from Oriental Mindoro; Gabriela and Bayan Muna member, killed in May 2002;
Leima Fortu, 27, a public school teacher from Oriental Mindoro; acting secretary-general of Karapatan-Oriental Mindoro, killed in February 2004;
Vitoria Samonte, 51, college professor from Surigao del Sur; ACT national council member, killed in September 2005;
Joan Lingkuran, 20, a volunteer teacher from Bukidnon, killed in February 2006;
Napoleon Pornasdoro, 54, a public school teacher from Quezon; ACT national council member, killed in February 2006;
Gloria Casuga, 47, public school principal from Isabela, killed in June 2006;
Danilo Hagosojos, 61, retired teacher from Sorsogon; officer of SELDA, killed in July 2006;
Dr. Rodrigo Catayong, 55, professor, Eastern Samar State University; chairperson of Katungod-Eastern Samar, killed in November 2006;
Jose Maria Cui, professor, University of Eastern Philippines (Northern Samar), former secretary-general, Katungod-Northern Samar, killed in January 2007.

“Today, we honor our fallen colleagues and demand justice. Credible independent bodies such as Amnesty International and the UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston have placed the blame on the extrajudicial killings squarely on the military. Now even the US Senate is investigating the killings. The government's own fact-finding Melo commission made similar conclusions, and even recommended the filing of charges against Gen. Palparan,” said ACT chairperson Antonio Tinio. “But in spite of mounting international pressure, the killings continue. We condemn the Arroyo government's brazen stonewalling and inaction.” 

Tinio noted that instead of heeding calls to respect human rights, the Arroyo government is intensifying its controversial counter-insurgency campaign. “The military is now conducting counter-insurgency operations right in the heart of Metro Manila, in the urban poor communities and schools,” said Tinio. “The AFP's anti-communist lecture tour in the university belt is a direct assault on academic freedom. The military presence in campuses is intended to kill free and open debate in the name of a purported war against terrorism. We call on the academic community to stand up for our rights.” #