In the News - 'Diliman Republic'
by TheDivineMissM!
'DILIMAN REPUBLIC' DECLARES SELF AS EMERGENCY-FREE
MANILA, March 1, 2006 (MALAYA) STUDENTS and professors yesterday declared University of the Philippines as a state of emergency-free zone, saying their academic freedom would not be muzzled by Arroyo’s Proclamation 1017.
Professors said they would hold alternative classes to explain the effects of the proclamation, especially on people’s rights.
"Kakausapin natin ang mga faculty members to still hold classes so we can discuss the meaning of this proclamation, our rights and what we should do," Maris Diokno, a professor of history, said in a press conference at the Palma hall.
The Palma hall, formerly known as the Arts and Sciences building, was the center of student protest actions during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
"Hindi ko alam kung pasasalamatan ko si GMA (Arroyo) for 1017 because now we can explain what martial law was. Pagkakataon ito para maunawaan natin ang sitwasyon," she said.
UP president Emerlinda Roman in a statement dated February 26 said the administration affirms its commitment to the fundamental and human rights of its students.
These include the right to freely express their views either individually or collectively, through speeches or through various forms of media including student publications and radio; to peaceably assemble to petition the government for redress of grievances; to pursue and realize academic freedom; to decide on the content of their classroom discussions as well as their publications; and to be free from arbitrary and form of illegal arrests and detention.
"Consistent with our traditions as the University of the Philippines, we expect that forums which will provide information, catalyze analysis and debate on the current state of affairs will not be suppressed. We find ourselves at an important historical conjuncture. Let us not miss out on this chance to remain relevant as a University of our people," Roman said.
Former UP president Francisco Nemenzo Jr. said the UP community should embrace other schools which would like to hold protest actions in its campus.
"You have the duty to carry on the struggle of your predecessor,"
Nemenzo, who is chairman of Laban ng Masa, told students.
Sociology professor Randy David said the lifeline of a real university is academic freedom.
"A real university should stimulate social consciousness. And that is impossible without academic freedom. We can’t function as a university for as long as 1017 is there," David told the students, whom he addressed as "citizens of the Republic of Diliman.
David, lawyer Argee Guevarra and Akbayan president Ronald Llamas were briefly held for questioning at Camp Karingal in Quezon City after they, along with 2,000 members of the Laban ng Masa, tried to march to the People Power Monument last Friday.
"Hindi tayo mawawala sa loob ng UP. May klase tayo at tayo’y papasok para talakayin ang sitwasyon at ang ating mga gagawing kilos hanggang sa i-lift and proclamation na ito," said Juan Paolo Alfonso, head of the Student Council’s Students Rights and Welfare Committee.
The university Student Council condemned the deployment of military and police personnel at the campus supposedly to "conduct inquiry."
Alfonso said that SWAT and military teams were seen roaming the campus over the weekend.
He said these teams inquired about the location of the Office of the Student Council, the Office of the Student Regent, and the identities of student leaders.
"Arroyo knows the influence of UP’s student leaders in harnessing mass support for the ever-growing dissent of the people against her regime.
That’s why it’s on a double lookout for us," said Alfonso.
The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP
(Stand-UP) said government cannot turn campuses into garrisons.
"We will not allow her to relive the martial law paranoia. If the Arroyo regime is hell-bent on dispersing mass actions in the streets, let’s see if she can try it in UP," said Stand-UP chair Isa Artajo. – Reinir Padua
