Fraternity says academic freedom vital in UP-DND talks

The University of the Philippines (UP)-based Upsilon Sigma Phi expressed support for the ongoing dialogue between university officials and the Department of National Defense (DND) on the unilateral termination of an agreement on the presence of uniformed men in its campuses.

“The principle of academic freedom lies at the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. The right to study, to explore, and to teach without sanction only improves the condition of man,” Upsilon said in a statement.

“There is nothing to fear from an independent academe that seeks to expand the breadth of human achievement," it added.

The group emphasized that "when there is still recourse to peaceful actions and civil dialogue, those should always be preferred."

The fraternity issued the statement after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and UP president Danilo Concepcion met to discuss the termination of the 1989 accord.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo later said the meeting was “cordial” and that subsequent talks will follow.

In January, the DND unilaterally terminated its 31-year-old agreement with UP which barred the entry of military and police forces into the university if they have no prior coordination with UP officials.

Concepcion previously expressed concern over the abrogation, saying it was “totally unnecessary and unwarranted.”

“Although coming from diverse backgrounds, Upsilonians remain steadfast to the ultimate guiding principle of our alma mater— the freedom of speech and expression,” the Upsilon Sigma Phi said.

“After all, there is no fraternity if there is no university. Upsilonians are enjoined to actively participate in seeking a lasting solution to the present crisis” it added.

Concerned alumni of the fraternity earlier issued a statement saying the UP community had been targeted by the military campaign.

"As a result, student activism, protest actions, criticism in the media, and even innocent student and faculty engagements with urban and rural poor communities as part of curricular and co-curricular projects have unnecessarily become life-threatening activities," read the statement signed by over 100 alumni members.

They include Senator Francis Pangilinan, former Commission on Elections commissioner Christian Monsod, and former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gregorio Catapang Jr.

"We support dialogue between the University and the DND conscious that our brotherhood has remained united in our diversity over the past 103 years, with genuine respect for the expressions of Filipino patriotism," they added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News