AFP’s major services back DND abrogation of accord with UP By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News
Published January 21, 2021 3:21pm
Updated January 21, 2021 4:34pm The major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday backed the decision of the Department of National Defense (DND) to abrogate its 31-year-old agreement with the University of the Philippines on the ban on entry of government security forces in its campuses. In a statement issued Thursday, the Philippine Navy said the termination of the pact was not an impairment to academic freedom, freedom of speech, assembly, or redress of grievances. The PN firmly believes that SND s decision was made in good faith and is rooted in the DND and AFP s concern for the safety of our youth, it said.
Published January 21, 2021 9:50pm Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza on Thursday said he also wants to terminate the Defense Department’s agreement with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) which bars the entry of state forces in its grounds without prior notice. According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” this came after the Department of National Defense’s (DND) decision to unilaterally terminate its agreement with the University of the Philippines. “PUP daw, but I haven’t seen. If you can present to me a copy, I will abrogate it also,” Lorenzana said. GMA News has sought the PUP management for comment but has yet to get a response.
The longstanding 1989 accord between UP and the
Department of National Defense was suddenly terminated on January 15 via a letter to UP President
Danilo Concepcion, citing claims that the university became a hotbed for the recruitment of communist rebels.
The historic deal signed by then UP President
Jose Abueva and Defense chief
Fidel Ramos 30 years ago has prohibited state forces from entering UP campuses without the permission of the school administration.
Exceptions warranting state forces’ presence cover hot pursuit operations and similar emergency cases, and if UP officials requested their assistance.
In an effort to justify the abrupt gesture at a briefing on Wednesday, January 20, Maj. Gen.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Thursday said it will organize a panel of experts "to define the meaning of academic freedom and the role of security forces in the protection of academic freedom and the welfare of students."