Philippines: anti-union repression against teacher union

19 November 2019
H.E. Rodrigo Duterte
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Email: op@president.gov.ph; pcc@malacanang.gov.ph

Mr President

Red-tagging and anti-union repression in the Philippines

I am writing to you today as the General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) in the United Kingdom to condemn the intensification of the police crackdown on the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Philippines) and other civil society and trade union organisations in the Philippines.

Sixty people were arrested during simultaneous raids conducted by military and police forces against trade unions, civil society organisations and human rights groups. Several ACT offices were raided and at least one ACT provincial coordinator was arrested. The repression operations are ongoing and ACT fears that more of their members could be targeted.

The current anti-union climate has caused unionists, teachers and academics to fear for their rights and safety. The teacher union is red-tagged by your administration. Union activists are unlawfully profiled by the Philippine National Police and put on lists of "terrorists". Raymond Basilio, ACT General Secretary and EI Board Member, has received multiple death threats since January 2019.

UCU is deeply concerned by this new development that is further deteriorating the human and trade union rights situation.

We urge the Government to immediately end the red-tagging and repression targeting the ACT and other unions and civil society organisations in the country, and to guarantee the security and safety of all union members and leaders.

UCU stands in solidarity with our sister organisations in the Philippines and will continue to closely monitor the human and trade union rights situation in the country.

Yours sincerely

Dr Jo Grady
General Secretary

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