January 19, 2021 VICE President Leni Robredo, an alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP), said the unilateral abrogation of the UP agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) effective January 15, 2021 will sow fear instead of law and order.
She pointed out that the agreement, forged in June 1989 and known as the Soto-Enrile Accord, merely requires the police and military to give notice to university officials before any operations in UP.
“This is neither a difficult nor onerous rule, and five Presidents since 1989 have managed to protect both the UP community and the Republic without breaking it,” Robredo said.
“Clearly, then, this is not a practical gesture, but a symbolic one. One designed to sow fear. One designed to discourage dissent. One designed to silence criticism,” she added.
UP accord terminated to protect Filipinos vs enemies of the state – Lorenzana
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday justified the Duterte administration s decision to abruptly end the Department of National Defense s agreement with the University of the Philippines that prohibits the entry of state forces in its campuses without prior notice.
He claimed the three-decade old agreement accorded to UP out of courtesy is now obsolete because there is a need to protect the majority of Filipinos against a university that has become a breeding ground of groups with extremist beliefs to recruit students to go against the government.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) might end up deciding on the termination of the agreement between the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) that has for decades prevented state forces from entering the institution’s campuses, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevar
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UP community unites in defending academic freedom
Activits hold a protest action against the uniliateral termination of an agreement prohibiting entry of state security forces without prior notification to the UP administration. (Photo by Carlo Manalansan / Bulatlat)
“I must express our grave concern over this abrogation, as it is totally unnecessary and unwarranted, and may result in worsening rather than improving relations between our institutions, and detract from our common desire for peace, justice, and freedom in our society.” UP President Danilo L. Concepcion
Updated 4:31 p.m., January 19, 2021
After the Department of National Defense unilaterally terminated an agreement with the University of the Philippines that prohibited the entry of state security forces in campuses, several senators on Tuesday filed a resolution that opposed the DND's action.