Press Release January 20, 2021 Statement of UP Alumna and Senator Pia S. Cayetano on DND's abrogation of its accord with UP I am saddened to hear about the Department of National Defense's (DND) decision to unilaterally terminate its long-standing agreement with the University of the Philippines (UP), which established the protocols governing the conduct of military and police personnel within the university's premises. The accord is an expression of the mutual respect between the two government institutions, and mutual acknowledgment of their respective mandates to serve our nation and people's best interests. UP as a premiere state university advances quality higher learning and promotes academic freedom, which is an integral component of a vibrant, democratic society, while the DND is the agency mandated to protect our nation against internal and external threats to peace and security. These two mandates are not, and should not be in conflict with one another.