ACT condemns PNP for subpoenaing student leaders joining anti-corruption protests

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP) for issuing subpoenas to student leaders who participated in anti-corruption protests.

Subpoenas were reportedly issued to the heads of the student councils of UP-Diliman and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), as well as a PUP campus journalist and a Kabataan Kontra Korapsyon member.

UP Diliman University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor stated that he is the fourth youth leader issued a subpoena for joining the protest last month.

Buenaflor criticized the PNP for being quick to go after the youth while remaining silent on corrupt officials, stating that police should have subpoenaed politicians and contractors involved in corruption instead of targeting students.

ACT vice chairperson Carl Marc Ramota characterized the subpoenas as a clear case of intimidation that violates academic freedom and the right to freedom of expression.

Ramota warned that this could signal a crackdown on dissent aimed at evading accountability, questioning the Marcos administration's sincerity in addressing corruption.

Buenaflor also mentioned that police failed to serve the subpoena to him as his relatives refused to receive it.