Business · Philippines Bureau
Police dispersal of teacher protest at Malacañang leaves 16 injured
Sixteen educators and students sustained injuries during a tense confrontation with police outside the presidential palace on Sunday as they demonstrated for improved wages and benefits. The protest occurred on the eve of World Teachers' Day.
LSN Philippines ·
A demonstration by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) outside Malacañang Palace turned violent on Sunday when police moved to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to 16 participants including teachers and students. The timing of the incident—occurring just one day before World Teachers' Day—highlighted growing tensions over educator compensation and working conditions in the Philippines. The group had gathered to press demands for economic relief measures, including an entry-level salary of P50,000 for teachers and a P5,000 personnel economic relief allowance. Police response to the protest escalated the situation, leading to the injuries reported by ACT representatives. The incident underscores ongoing disputes between education sector unions and government authorities over salary structures and benefits for the teaching profession in the country.