The youth of Bacolod City called on Rep. Greg Gasataya to uphold academic freedom amid the unilateral abrogation of the Department of National Defense’s pact with the University of the Philippines (UP) on the entry of state forces into campus grounds.
In an open letter to Gasataya that was released Saturday, January 23, the youth said the Makabayan bloc has filed a House resolution to uphold the agreement and protect the academic freedom of institutions of higher education.
“The youth of Bacolod are urging you to show your support as an advocate for youth and education by signing and co-authoring the resolution,” they asked Gasataya.
They added, “we need you to act on the disturbing incidents of harassment, assault, and libel against youth activists, advocates, and organizations. These incidents follow a disturbing pattern of criminalizing and terrorizing peaceful and legitimate activism, advocacy, criticism, and dissent.”
The UP-DND accord must be upheld to safeguard and protect Filipinos from unnecessary, illegitimate, and unethical acts that seek to curtail our freedoms of speech, expression, thinking, and peaceful assembly, the youth said.
They also asked Gasataya to hold a dialog with the youth, people’s organizations, and civil society “to discuss this important issue.”
“Academic institutions and communities must be safe spaces free from state and non-state violence, harassment, oppression, and intimidation,” the youth said.
The move of the government was met with criticisms from various sectors including student leaders.*