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DND axes UP accord

Mariella Cruz
Jan 20, 2021
2 min read

PROTEST.

Recently dissolved last January 18, 2021; UP-DND accord overturning diminishes the students’ freedom of expression.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sent a letter to University of the Philippines (UP) President, Danilo Conception, informing him of the decision of the Department of National Defense (DND) to terminate 1989 UP-DND accord.

The letter, sent last January 15, explained that the decision was made due to alleged reports of recruitment done by the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (CPP-NPA)

In response, Conception states that rather than giving the community confidence, they are adding more confusion and distrust, especially since the objectives or what protections will be put in place have not been clarified.

"May I urge you, therefore, to reconsider and revoke your abrogation, and request further that we meet to discuss your concerns in the shared spirit of peace, justice, and the pursuit of excellence," Conception continued.

On Tuesday, January 15, senators and congressional representatives expressed their disagreement with the decision, saying that by doing so President Rodrigo Dutere's government is becoming another reason for the public to view the military and police as enemies.

Despite this, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) spokesperson, Lorraine Marie Badoy, said there is nothing wrong about the termination of the agreement because it can be terminated at will.

Furthermore, according to Presidential Spokesperson, Harry Roque, President Duterte supports this decision because Lorenzana is "an alter ego of the President".

In response to Conception's plea for the DND to reconsider the termination, Roque said that he will be heard only if he clearly speaks his stance and reason why it should be reconsidered.

With the situation, UP students and supporters took to social media their criticisms, trending hashtags such as #DefendUP, #NoToCampusMilitarization, and #DefendAcademicFreedom.

The UP-DND accord was signed on June 30, 1989 by then-UP president Jose Abueva and then-defence chief Fidel V. Ramos to set guidelines for military and police operations in the university's campus.