An excerpt from Scotty’s biography written by Erlyn Alcantara, a dear friend of Scotty, for his book of “Igorots and Independence”

Around 1971, Scott was teaching history at Trinity College, St Andrew’s Theological Seminary, and University of Santo Tomas (UST). He also began teaching Philippine history at the University of the Philippines where he had the distinction of being the only foreigner to teach Philippine history. In these institutions, he found that idealistic and challenging young students were making thought -provoking statements about the national conditions at the time and was impressed by their willingness to be struck down by truncheons or be shot in the streets. His contacts with activists inside and outside the classroom inspired him to respond to the issues being raised and considered a courageous exchange of ideas the most fruitful teaching situation. But after the declaration of a Martial Law in 1972, this attitude was deemed unacceptable by the president of Trinity College, and Scott was summarily dismissed.
Scott was and delivered to political detention in Fort Bonifacio on New year’s eve of 1973.

His hearing turned out to be a tribute to Scott by people who knew him as a scholar, teacher, writer, historian and musician. Scholars put on the stand acknowledged his vast contribution to Philippine historiography and ethnography. Testimonies from bishops, priests and colleagues, and petitions from faculty members, student bodies and the citizens’ assemblies and Igorots on the Cordillera honored him as their own son and regarded him as a tribute to the Christian faith he professed.

On May 17, 1973 the Commissioner ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its accusations beyond reasonable doubt and Scott was released immediately.
Returning to Sagada, June 12, 1973 he was surprised to be met by a huge crowd of friends, students and neighbors who stopped the bus at Nangonogan (across Killip house). The cheering crowd carried him on their shoulders as they marched into town (to church soon after for a mass), teary-eyed but overjoyed at welcoming a son back home.

He retired in 1986. He continued to write books and for journals and other publications.