DND ‘ignored basic courtesies’ in scrapping accord with UP, say alumni

The Department of National Defense (DND) “ignored and disregarded basic courtesies” when it unilaterally terminated its 31-year-old accord with the University of the Philippines (UP) that prevented state forces from freely entering campuses, alumni said Tuesday.

The UP Alumni Association (UPAA) underscored that the agreement was entered into “in good faith” by both parties in 1989.

“The one-sided cancellation of the 1989 accord violates established norms in a society that respects the sanctity of contracts,” they said in a statement.

“DND ignored and disregarded basic courtesies - there was no notification or consultation before taking action on a mutually agreed accord. Communication is the basis of understanding. Unfortunately, no prior communication transpired,” it added.

The UPAA also expressed concern about the safety of students enrolled in the state university.

“We urge the concerned government authorities and the UP administration to commence dialogue towards a viable and mutually acceptable solution without further escalation of rhetoric and emotions,” they said.

Professors emeriti also question abrogation

In a separate statement, professors emeriti of UP Diliman also questioned the scrapping of the pact without prior consultation.

OPEN LETTER OF UPD PROFESSORS EMERITI TO THE UP BOARD OF REGENTS

"We the undersigned, Professors Emeriti of the UPD, wish to register our protest in the strongest terms against the recent unilateral abrogation..."

Read more: https://t.co/HkR71oPTDy#DefendUP pic.twitter.com/bAvclL5EED

— UP Diliman (@Official_UPD) January 26, 2021

“We find no tenable or compelling reason why this agreement… should now be abrogated without at least the consultation owed to the parties that signed and implemented it in good faith,” they said.

“The letter of abrogation provides no specific instances and no supporting proof of where, when, and how the agreement failed—especially on UP's part.”

The professors also pointed out that the DND did not explain what the military plans to do on the UP campus in place of the abrogated accord.

“We are left to anticipate, with grave apprehension, the return of the kind of authoritarian policing that we suffered under martial law,” they said.

Last week, the DND unilaterally abrogated its pact with UP that prevented state forces from entering the campus without prior coordination with university authorities.

In defending the termination, the DND claimed that there was “clandestine recruitment” of students into the armed struggle taking place on UP campuses.

The professors emeriti said the claim “ignores a much larger aspect of UP that has consistently strived for peace, justice, and development in our society.”

“Our military institutions—and even our highest academic and administrative officials—must be reminded that UP is an intellectual meritocracy, as great universities should be, which is how it can best serve the nation,” they said.

On Monday, UP said it was ready to dialogue with the DND on the termination of the accord.

UP President Danilo Concepcion earlier said the abrogation was “totally unnecessary and unwarranted.” -MDM/BM, GMA News