‘Intel-gathering meant to protect govt’By ROY NARRAhome/News/Nation/‘Intel-gathering meant to protect govt’GATHERING intelligence from members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is one way for the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) to determine if members of the group are supporting armed rebellion, according to Director General Oscar Albayalde. The PNP chief said they were allowed to conduct intelligence gathering to ensure that no one was plotting against the government. “Remember, the state has the mandate or responsibility to protect its citizens from the enemies of the state and this is what the President said,” he added. Albayalde ordered the relief of three intelligence officers after an internal memorandum on the intelligence gathering from ACT members was leaked to the public. On Tuesday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged the PNP to instead monitor dismissed police and military personnel who have become guns for hire.

Source: Manila Times January 08, 2019 16:41 UTC