Catholic universities in Philippines deny communist links
Military commander s claim that institutions are a recruiting ground for rebels is dismissed as irresponsible and baseless
A student takes part in a recent protest at the University of the Philippines against the government branding activists and universities as communist supporters. (Photo: Mariana Gardoce)
Three Catholic universities in the Philippines have condemned comments by a high-ranking military official branding them as recruitment centers for communist rebels.
According to Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr, commander of an anti-communist rebel task force, at least 18 universities, many in capital Manila, are recruiting grounds for communist rebels.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In a statement on Tuesday, UP clarified that Castillo is no longer affiliated with the University as a faculty member. He served as a part-time senior lecturer in the Diliman campus from 2013 to 2017 only, contrary to the AFP post referring to him as a UP professor.
In a series of Facebook posts, the AFP Civil Relations Service (CRS) quoted Castillo who expressed his support for the abrogation of the agreement between the University and the Department of National Defense (DND) which prohibits state forces from entering UP campuses without notifying school officials.
In one of the posts, Castillo was also quoted saying that a “silent majority” in the UP community is supporting the termination of the 1989 UP-DND Accord.
Published January 26, 2021, 12:10 PM
Former government peace panel chairman and former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president Alexander Padilla and 26 other persons are considering taking legal action against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for erroneously listing them as among University of the Philippines (UP) alumni who joined the New People’s Army (NPA) and have either died or captured.
Former government peace panel chairman and former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president Alexander Padilla
(Marlon Sison / GPH-CPP/NPA/NDF Peace Talks website / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We have been talking among ourselves, the group, and our lawyers,” said Padilla during an interview over CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in today’s Malacanang Press Briefing
QUEZON CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, Jr confirmed the resumption of limited face-to-face classes for medical and allied health programs in higher educational institutions under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) areas.
“This is for medical schools, and medical and allied health programs in higher educational institutions in MGCQ and for higher educational institutions in GCQ with base hospitals that cater to COVID-19 patients,” Spokesperson Roque said during the virtual press briefing held today.
According to Roque, limited face-to-face classes for doctors and other allied professionals are necessary to keep their numbers sufficient.
The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution supporting the pending dialogue between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the University of the Philippines (UP) to address the recent unilateral abrogation of the accord which prohibits the entry of state forces in the premiere state university's campuses.