Azurin denies violation of UP-DILG agreement in arrest of professor

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday said there is no violation of the University of the Philippines - Department of the Interior and Local Government Accord of 1992  in the arrest of a professor inside the campus recently.

At a press briefing, Azurin said the police just served the arrest warrant to UP Professor Melania Flores and that the document did not indicate specific areas where it should only be served.

“So I don't see any violation doon sa pagse-serve ng ating pulis ng warrant of arrest (in the serving of warrant of arrest by our police),” he said.

Azurin emphasized that the UP-DILG accord is about the observance of academic freedom and the manner of entry in the campus. 

Flores was arrested on February 6 for alleged non-remittance of Social Security System contributions, which she denied. She was released on the same day but accused the police of violating her rights to due process.

Flores, a resident of UP Campus Diliman, said a police officer told her that they do not acknowledge the UP-DILG Accord, which requires police to coordinate their entry to the campus with the UP Diliman administration.

She also claimed that the police initially presented themselves as staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to Flores, she had never received any letter to participate in a hearing or subpoena. She added that she only learned about her case when she posted bail. —VAL, GMA Integrated News