THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers denounced the relentless death threats directed at House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The group said the grave threats, aired on television and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube of Sonshine Media Network International, were reiterated following the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City’s issuance of a subpoena to Duterte, ordering him to personally submit his answer to the grave threat complaint filed against him by Rep. Castro.

“As teachers and educators, we are deeply troubled by the alarming escalation of threats and intimidation directed at Rep. France Castro, our genuine representative in Congress and a staunch advocate for the rights and welfare of Filipino teachers and education workers. The safety, security, and well-being of public servants, especially those dedicated to the betterment of the education sector, should be paramount and non-negotiable.” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

In addition, ACT reiterated that the recent threat by Duterte against Castro is an appalling display of disregard for the rule of law.

“Threatening an elected official is an assault on democracy itself and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. This culture of impunity, where individuals in positions of power believe they are above accountability for their actions must stop,” Quetua said.

“No one should be immune from facing legal consequences for threats or any form of intimidation. It’s imperative to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law. No one, regardless of their status or past positions, should be allowed to escape accountability for actions that undermine the safety and democratic values of a nation,” he added.

“The subpoena issued by the QCPO underscores the severity of the situation, and Rodrigo Duterte must face the charges against him. We urge the Department of Justice and the Marcos Jr. administration to take swift and decisive legal actions to address these offensive threats. The rule of law must prevail, and those who engage in threatening our representative and even the common people must be held accountable for their actions,” said Quetua.

ACT also urged the Marcos government to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court and allow for an independent investigation into the crimes against humanity committed by former president Duterte.

The international community has a role to play in ensuring justice and accountability for any violations of human rights, and the ICC provides a crucial avenue for such scrutiny and investigation it said.

“ACT stands in unwavering solidarity with Rep. France Castro and reiterates its commitment to defending and promoting the rights and welfare of teachers and the Filipino people,” the party-list said in a statement.

“We also call for the abolition of NTF-ELCAC and all its mechanisms including the SMNI as they embolden the perpetration of state terrorism and abuses against human rights defenders, progressive groups and individuals, and the Filipino people,” the group added.