UP community denounces termination of DND-UP pact

Students and faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP) on Tuesday gathered to protest the termination of the decades-old agreement with the government banning police and military operations on campus.

In the photos posted by GMA News’ Chino Gaston, the UP community gathered at the Quezon Hall raising placards and banners with statements espousing academic freedom and denouncing militarization.

According to protesters, the termination is a way of stifling the school's history of social activism.

UP students rally against termination of agreement preventing police and military from entering the schools campuses. pic.twitter.com/MROhZeWifq

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) January 19, 2021

In his speech during the protest, UP president Danny Concepcion said the abrogation of the accord with Department of National Defense would potentially affect academic freedom.

UP President Danny Concepcion sees abrogation of accord with DND potentially affecting academic freedom. He says DND should have consulted school officials pic.twitter.com/YA137so8wG

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) January 19, 2021

Concepcion said the DND should have consulted school officials first before deciding on the termination.

In the video posted by Super Radyo dzBB’s Allan Gatus, the UP president pointed out that the accord upholds the academic freedom in the school.

“Sapagkat alam nila na walang nagmamanman sa kanilang bawat kilos at galaw na walang pipigil sa kanilang pagpapahayag ng kanilang isipan at malayang pagtatagisan ng talino at kuro-kuro,” he said.

“Na walang busal na ipapasak sa kanilang mga bibig upang ipahayag ang kanilang saloobin at damdamin, na walang pipigil sa kanilang pag-iisip at paglikha kahit pa  ang kanilang ginagawa ay taliwas sa idinidikta ng mga umuugit sa pamahalaan,” he added.

According to the League of Filipino Students, different sectors have participated in the protest.

UPDATE: Lumahok din sa isinasagawang aktibidad ng iba't ibang grupo si UP President Danilo Concepcion. Tinawag niyang bangungot ang sulat ni DND Sec. Delfin Lorenzana para sa academic freedom. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/EnMyySxeYD

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 19, 2021

The DND unilaterally terminated its 31-year-old agreement with UP banning military and police forces from entering the campus if they have no prior coordination with UP officials.

In a letter dated January 15, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana informed Concepcion of the termination, saying communists are recruiting students inside UP campuses.

On Tuesday, Concepcion underscored that the unilateral termination of the DND-UP pact was unnecessary and unwarranted.

In a letter to Lorenzana, Concepcion expressed concern over the DND's decision, noting that it could just adversely affect the relations between the agency and the university.

In a statement, Lorenzana said the accord, signed in 1989, has become "obsolete." —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News