La Salle execs denounce sedition complaint vs. Chel Diokno, Armin Luistro, others

Top officials of De La Salle Philippines strongly condemned the criminal charges filed against Vice President Leni Robredo and more than 30 individuals in connection to the "Bikoy" narcolist videos.

A complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on July 18 named dozens of personalities, including former Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and veteran rights lawyer Chel Diokno, for their alleged involvement in the production of a series of videos implicating members of the First Family in the illegal drug trade.

In a statement, La Salle officials emphasized that Diokno and Luistro are both Lasallians who are at the forefront of the advocacy to uphold human life, dignity and liberty."

"They are merely exercising their freedom enshrined in our Constitution which guarantees "the freedom of speech, of expression, of the press and the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances," their statement read.

"We strongly denounce these charges against them and the leaders of the opposition especially as these are based solely on the affidavit of convicted felon Joemel Advincula," it added.

Statement Of De La Salle Philippines On The Criminal Charges Against Br. Armin Luistro FSC and Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Dioknohttps://t.co/z8y1CzwXT5 pic.twitter.com/eYs7domrEx

— DeLaSalle.ph (@OneLaSalle) August 2, 2019

The statement, which was shared on social media, was signed by the following:

• La Salle Philippines chief executive officer Edgar Chua 
• La Salle Green Hills president Br. Victor Franco FSC
• St. Jaime Hilario School - De La Salle Bataan president Br. Iñigo Riola SC
• De La Salle University president Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC
• De La Salle College of St. Benilde president Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC
• De La Salle Lipa president Br. Dante Amisola FSC
• De La Salle Dasmariñas and De La Salle Medical and Health and Sciences Institute president Br. Augustine Boquer FSC
• University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph School - La Salle president Br. Joaquin Martinez FSC
• De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College officer-in-charge Evelyn Cimafranca
• De La Salle Santiago Zobel president Br. Bernard Oca FSC
• La Salle Academy president Br. Antonio Servando FSC
• La Salle University president Br. Jaime Dalumpines FSC
• De La Salle John Bosco College president Dr. Aristarco Ugmad
• De La Salle Araneta University president Dr. Bjorn Santos
• La Salle College Antipolo president Dr. Jimelo Tipay

Together, the officials called on the PNP to "live up to its ideals of service, honor and justice and not to allow itself to be used for political ends."

They called on the Duterte administration to "end the filing of charges against its perceived critics and instead perform its duty to protect the democratic space for dissent, grievances, and critical perspectives."

The government, they stressed, "is for all and not just for those who agree with the policies of the administration." 

The La Salle officials also called on "all freedom loving Filipinos to continue to voice out their views in support of human rights and democratic principles."

"As we continue to pray for all those charged, we also pray that our leaders in government may be enlightened as we all seek a country that is socially and politically inclusive," their statement read.

"Finally, we call on all Lasallians to support Br. Armin and Atty. Chel, patriots and exemplars of our core values of faith, service and communication in mission." — RSJ, GMA News