Lagman calls for House probe into unilateral abrogation of UP-DND pact

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman is calling for a House probe into the one-sided revocation of the 1989 accord between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense that prohibits entry of state forces into the university without prior notice to its officials.

In House Resolution 1490, Lagman, a UP alumnus, urged the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct the inquiry in aid of legislation into the termination of the UP-DND Accord, which he said seeks to protect and uphold the autonomy and academic freedom of UP units.

Lagman pointed out that the unilateral termination of the agreement without prior consultation with UP officials "is illegal and void ab initio because the accord was entered into bilaterally and mutually, and could not be extinguished by one party alone."

He added that the one-sided abrogation “opens the floodgates for military and police incursions into UP campuses nationwide under the guise of protecting national security and maintaining peace and order.”

In response, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday he will welcome the inquiry should lawmakers invite him to participate. 

In his letter informing UP of their decision to end the accord, Lorenzana cited information that communist rebels are supposedly recruiting students inside the campus.

He argued that the accord hinders the DND from providing “effective security, safety and welfare” of the students, faculty, and employees of UP.

The Defense secretary also said the DND could unilaterally end the agreement with UP even without prior consultation with university officials.

"Of course, ayaw na namin. We have determined that it doesn't serve the interest of the students," Lorenzana said.

But Lagman maintained that the termination of the UP-DND Accord only "red-tags" the entire UP community, including its component units in various regions in the country.

"With the unilateral termination of the subject agreement, it is now open season for the military and police invasion of UP campuses in the guise of upholding national security and maintaining peace and order," he added.

Apart from Lagman, other House lawmakers including members of the Makabayan Bloc also denounced the termination of the UP-DND Accord, saying that it would only result in the militarization of the UP campuses and curtail academic freedom.

Analakusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor and Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez also called on the DND to reconsider its termination of the agreement.

Quezon City Representative Kit Belmonte, on the other hand, suggested that Congress amend the UP Charter to ensure the implementation of the provisions stated in the UP-DND Accord.

UP President Danilo Concepcion, meanwhile, said that termination of the UP-DND Accord was "totally unnecessary and unwarranted," and may only taint the relations between the two institutions.

He also maintained that they do not condone sedition, armed insurrection, or the use of violence for political ends. —With a report from Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/LBG/KG, GMA News