Youth groups to stage Nov 21 protest in defense of academic freedom

Several youth leaders on Monday announced a nationwide walkout of students on November 21 to defend academic freedom and democratic rights.

In a press conference, student leaders criticized Senate Committee Report No. 10 concerning missing minors who were allegedly recruited by leftist groups.

The youth leaders said the report was “a move to further curtail academic freedom and the people’s democratic rights” that would eventually lead to police and military presence on campuses.

“Ang pagde-deploy ng pulis at militar sa mga pamantasan ay malaking kahungkagan dahil wala naman sa loob ng paaralan ang kaaway ng gobyerno,” argued League of Filipino Students spokesperson Kara Lenina Taggaoa

“Kung may dapat tugisin ang militar, doon sila sa West Philippine Sea, sa Kaliwa Dam, at Chico River. Dapat tugusin ay ang mga ninja cops, drug lords, at hindi mga kabataang naghahangad ng magandang kinabukasan.”

Anakbayan Chairperson Alex Danday said that the youth would not be silenced and that they would continue to make their voices heard on social issues.

“Kung nais niya (President Rodrigo Duterte) ng katahimikan, sasagutin siya ng dumadagundong na welga at protesta ng mga kabataan at mamamayan sa mga eskuwelahan, lansangan, pagawaan, at sakahan,” Danday urged.

League of College Councils convenor Kenneth Eser Jose meanwhile promised the participation of the University of the Philippines community in the nationwide walkout.

Anakbayan PUP and UST, Kabataan Partylist, and the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines also voews to support the  November 21 protest action. — Joviland Rita/DVM, GMA News