UP Manila did not approve PNP survey on extremism and insurgency

The University of the Philippines Manila on Tuesday clarified that it has not approved the distribution of a survey questionnaire on extremism and insurgency from the Philippine National Police.

UPM stated that the administration "has not approved the conduct" nor distribution to students of the questionnaire entitled "The Role of Social Media to Students of the University of the Philippines Manila on Violent Extremism and Insurgency."

"Steps are being taken to look into this matter particularly how the questionnaire reached our students. Should you receive a copy of the survey, we strongly discourage you from participating in it," read the statement.

The Manila Collegian tweeted a sample of the survey conducted by the National Police College (NPC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last week.

LOOK: A survey entitled "The Role of Social Media to Students of University of the Philippines Manila on Violent Extremism and Insurgency" conducted by the National Police College of the Philippine National Police made rounds in UPM this week.#ResistCrackdown pic.twitter.com/SwiX45fWP8

— The Manila Collegian (@MKule) March 9, 2018

According to the student publication, all courses were given copies of the survey to answer and no members of the group were present to administer the survey.

The UP Manila branch of the militant youth group Anakbayan condemned the distribution of the survey.

Anakbayan alleged the survey to be a part of a "crackdown" by the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"Malinaw ang kanilang motibong palabasing may nagpapakalat ng subersibong mga ideya at nagpupundar ng mga rebelde sa kanilang pagbuo ng mga katanungang garapal at probokatibo sa mga estudyante," Anakbayan UP Manila alleged.

'Necessary coordinations' to be made

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said that the survey is being done by the NPC students for their Public Safety Advance Officers Course.

The NPC  is under the supervision of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), an agency under the DILG.

"Normally research projects are part of the academic requirement for the said career course. While it appears that the researchers are PNP commissioned officers, they are currently under the sanction of the PPSC as they are undergoing academic training," Bulalacao told GMA News Online.

"The PNP nonetheless will coordinate with the PPSC to further validate the matter so that necessary coordinations may be made," he added. — with a report by Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG/BM, GMA News