UP Cebu to assist students arrested over anti-terror bill protest

The University of the Philippines-Cebu administration will extend assistance to its students arrested in the aftermath of a peaceful protest against the anti-terror bill on Friday, stressing such arrest is disturbing.

“The UP Cebu administration is deeply disturbed by the incident this morning of police dispersing and arresting peaceful protesters within the vicinity of the campus.  We will continue to ensure the safety of our constituents and provide humanitarian assistance to our students and alumni who are affected by this unfortunate incident,”  UP Cebu Chancellor Liza Corro said in a statement.

“We have always maintained maximum tolerance when it comes to protest movements of our constituents, especially where it is in relation to their freedom of expression. In any case, we are deeply disappointed that none of the police officers tried to coordinate with UP Cebu in regard to handling the situation which could have led to a more sound and sensible resolution in light of prevailing restrictions under the general community quarantine,” she added.

Corro also clarified that the UP Cebu guards did not assist in the dispersal of mobilization or blocked the students from entering the campus.

“On the contrary, our guards blocked the police from entering the campus and even chased them out when they jumped into our walls trying to chase the student protesters. Our guards also assisted the students by bringing them into safety inside a campus building,” she said.

The Anti-Terrorism bill, which is awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature to become a law, allows detention of suspected terrorists from 14 to 24 days without a warrant and defines inciting to terrorism by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners, or other representations.

The bill also removes the existing P500,000 a day penalty on police officers for detention of suspects who will eventually get acquitted of the crime.

Corro pointed out that previous protest actions by UP Cebu students in the same vicinity had always remained peaceful and orderly for many years until what happened on Friday morning.

“We always act to ensure public safety and order within our premises amid the pandemic, while respecting the right to protest. I personally respect and have consistently expressed support to student’s basic rights,” Corro said.

“It is most unfortunate that what happened today, with the presence and action of the police anti-riot contingent, heightened rather than allayed the risks to the safety of the people involved,” Corro added.

Corro assured authorities that UP Cebu recognizes the prevailing restrictions in light of the GCQ rules prohibiting mass gatherings.

She said that the UP Cebu is already coordinating with UP System officials on the legal and other important aspects of the matter, especially with respect to the 1989 UP-DND Peace Accord which does not allow military and police presence inside UP campuses unless their presence is sought by the state university. —LDF, GMA News