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MANILA, Philippines – The agreement between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense (DND) prohibiting the unauthorized presence of police and military on campuses should not be an obstacle to law enforcement, according to Domingo Cayosa, president National Integrated Bar Association of the Philippines (IBP).
In a statement issued Wednesday, Cayosa, who is a UP alumnus, reminded the administration that the recruitment of communist groups and other organizations opposed to the government did not just happen in the UP.
“The UP-DND agreement does not and should not hinder legitimate security and law enforcement operations, as the agreement specifically stipulates that ‘nothing mentioned herein shall be construed as a prohibition against the application of the laws of the country'” said Cayosa.
“Various groups, including those who oppose the government, recruit at UP as they do at many other schools. However, what really drives and fuels dissent is not the UP or its tradition of critical thinking and activism, but the injustice, corruption, incompetence, abuse and oppression, poverty or hopelessness that citizens can experience or discern, “he added.
On Monday, reports emerged that Defense Secretary Delfín Lorenzana had written a letter to UP President Danilo Concepción about the termination of the UP-DND agreement.
Lorenzana’s motive for repealing the agreement was the recruitment of UP students into the New People’s Army, claiming that the government was meant to protect students from enemies of the state.
Students, activist groups, prominent UP alumni and even some government officials denounced Lorenzana’s unilateral decision.
Cayosa said it would have been better if the DND had spoken with the UP administration before unilaterally revoking the agreement. However, he also urged the UP community to focus on what school authorities might eventually do instead of focusing on the uncontrollable.
“While there are grounds to condemn and oppose the unilateral termination of the UP-DND agreement, it may be prudent for UP and its stakeholders to focus more on what we can do and less on what we cannot control,” Cayosa said.
“With or without the UP-DND agreement, academic freedom and all the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the country must be enjoyed at the UP, or at any other university. UP can continue to use public funds responsibly to develop the best, brightest and most critical minds, allow free expression of different ideas without fear of persecution, conduct outstanding research, meaningful outreach, and social work for building the nation, “he added.
Still, he argued that the government must respect the autonomy of the UP as a center for academic freedom, enshrined in the Constitution.
“Academic freedom, freedom of expression and association, due process, privacy and other fundamental rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Philippines. These basic rights cannot be subtracted by the unilateral elimination of an operational coordination agreement, ”said the head of the IBP.
“Considering its institutional autonomy as a National University under RA 9500, the main authority and responsibility for the” effective safety, protection and well-being of UP students, professors, and employees “rests with UP System officials, not the Department of National Defense or other government agencies / units ”, he added.
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