THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers condemned the killing of its member Benharl Capote Kahil, 27, by unidentified gunmen on November 5, 2022 in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

“ACT extends its sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, co-workers, and all whose lives he had touched and now grieves his passing,” the group said in a statement.

“The demise of Teacher Kahil, who taught in Lebak Legislative National High School and a talented and progressive cartoonist, is a great loss to the causes of nationalist education and arts,” it added.

According to ACT, Teacher Benharl, who made editorial cartoons, had taken to heart the noble duty of teachers to stand with and disseminate the truth, act as a social critic and espouse patriotism.

“His works outstandingly expressed social commentaries on the issues of teachers and education, disinformation, historical revisionism, human rights and democracy, rightfully earning him awards and accolades,” the group said.

“His death must not come to naught. Teacher Benharl’s case should not just add to the statistics of killings with impunity, which have continued to mount from the past Duterte regime to the present Marcos administration. We demand a thorough and swift investigation on his case and his attacker/s be brought to justice,” it added.