UP Diliman vows to defend academic freedom, critical thinking policies amid red-tagging

University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman has vowed to defend its policy of academic freedom and critical thinking, amid President Rodrigo Duterte's accusation that it is a breeding ground for communists.

“We will strongly defend the University’s time-honored traditions of academic freedom & critical thinking. UP’s proud history of service and activism has shown that we can do both,” said UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo in a statement.

“Those who blame UP for breeding communists forget that UP has bred more scientists, artists, doctors, lawyers, diplomats  and civil servants,” he added.

Duterte's accusation and threat to defund UP stemmed from his mistaken claim that UP called for an academic freeze to protest alleged government inefficiency in addressing disasters and the   COVID-19 pandemic.

It was students of Ateneo de Manila University who actually started the call for an academic freeze.

In his statement, Nemenzo said UP is “a safe haven for civilized and intelligent discourse” that has no place for “intolerance, bigotry and red-tagging.”

“Red-tagging in particular is dangerous, because it focuses on labels over substance and encourages intimidation and violence,” he added.

Nemenzo then noted that academic freedom is essential for the life of the mind and for UP’s dual role as knowledge producer and social critic, and that calling for policy changes — including those to end the semester — is not tantamount to ditching learning.

“We play the role of social critic from a position of evidence-based scholarship and moral courage. This role is a distinct service to the nation,” Nemenzo said.

“The choice of faculty and students to express their grievances, criticize the government and call for policy changes, is their fundamental and inalienable right as Filipino citizens,” he added.

Calls to end the semester, Nemenzo said, should not be construed as abandonment of one’s education, but “as a legitimate expression of their commitment to teaching and learning, which has undeniably suffered due to the pandemic and recent spate of typhoons,” Nemenzo said.

Nemenzo, however, maintained that the UP Diliman will not end the semester because learning is more crucial at this point.

“At a time of great economic need and political ferment, the University is all the more needed — as a place where we can challenge ideas, sharpen our positions, and gain clarity about the social and political issues confronting our society. This is UP’s mission and we have to continue this task,” he said.

UP vice president for public affairs Dr. Elena Pernia earlier said that UP does not do recruitment for the Communist Party of the Philippines, saying that the UP's mandate is to teach as well as do research and public service. --KBK, GMA News