Protesters dispersed ahead of World Teachers’ Day
Activists in Iloilo City condemned what they said was a forceful dispersal of a peaceful protest just days before World Teachers’ Day. The incident occurred on Friday, October 3, outside the main campus of West Visayas State University (WVSU) as labor educators and student advocates rallied over low teacher wages, the state of public education, and allegations of corruption in the sector.
Who was involved and what happened
The protest was led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Panay, ACT Union Region VI, Kabataan party-list Panay, and Bayan Panay. They alleged that Police Patrolman Felicito Dusaran Dolar III and another officer from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) forcibly dispersed the demonstration and attempted to seize a megaphone from the group.
According to the activists, Patrolman Dolar claimed he was acting under orders from unnamed higher-ups and from Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, though he later denied this assertion. The protesters described the dispersal as an intimidation tactic, saying it violated constitutional rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
Rights concerns and police conduct
The activists argued that the presence of heavily armed officers and the use of bulletproof vests at a small, peaceful assembly underscored an overreach by security forces. They asserted that the dispersal and the threat of arrests for noncompliance with a dispersal order were not grounded in law and represented an alarming restriction on civic space.
Context: the call for better funding and accountability
At the heart of the demonstration were demands for better government support for public education, fair wages for teachers, and transparency in handling funds allocated to schools. The coalition pointed to challenges facing the education sector, including resource shortages and governance concerns, which they say undermine teacher morale and learning outcomes for students.
What comes next
In response to the dispersal, the activist groups pledged to pursue legal and political avenues to press their demands. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil liberties while continuing to advocate for meaningful reforms in education policy and funding at the regional and national levels. The incident has sparked discussions about police guidelines for crowd management and the appropriate response to peaceful protests near educational institutions.
Why this matters for World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day, observed annually in early October, spotlights the vital work of educators and the need for dignified pay and working conditions. The Iloilo City clash highlights ongoing tensions between peaceable advocacy and security protocols, raising questions about how authorities balance public safety with constitutional rights during demonstrations near campuses.
Quotes and reactions
“This brazen act was a direct attack on the people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression, assembly, and to petition the government for redress of grievances,” Bayan Panay stated in reaction to the dispersal. The coalition calls for accountability and a clear explanation from city authorities to prevent future escalations.
Tags
World Teachers’ Day, Iloilo City, education funding, teachers’ wages, peaceful protest, police dispersal, civil liberties
