Ateneo president condemns attacks vs. historian Ambeth Ocampo

Ateneo De Manila University president Fr. Roberto Yap has condemned the harassment and intimidation thrown the way of historian Ambeth Ocampo days after he reacted to a remark which likened history to gossip.

In a memo to the university community, Yap said Ateneo was standing with Ocampo " as well as with all other historians and academics, in the face of a sustained campaign to malign their work and their reputation." 

Yap said Ocampo was a sought-after professor and lecturer, columnist, and author renowned the world over for his  knowledge and insights into many aspects of Philippine history.

"But despite this, he, like many others who fight to preserve facts in understanding our nation’s story, is now the subject of harassment, attacks, and intimidation just because he is standing up for the truth," Yap said.

"We condemn these attacks, not just because it maligns Dr. Ocampo, but because it severely undermines our battle against historical distortion and
disinformation," he added.

An actress last week drew flak online after her now-deleted tweet on history and gossip went viral.

Ocampo, in response, posted a statement on Facebook saying “gossip” should not be confused with “history”.

“Don't confuse History and chismis. History may have bias but it is based on fact and opinion. Real History is about Truth not lies, not fiction,” Ocampo said.

Ocampo has since been at the receiving end of criticisms online. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News