THOMASIANS denounced on Wednesday the inclusion of UST in the list of schools deemed as recruitment grounds of communists in a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
UST Secretary General Fr. Jesus Miranda Jr., O.P. said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must prove its allegations first before dragging the University in its claims of a supposed “Red October” plot to unseat Duterte.
“Baka naman stereotyping lang nila ‘yan or because we are a Catholic university and there is a perception that we are against the present government. Is that why we are being tagged?” Miranda told the Varsitarian.
UST Simbahayan (extension office) Director Mark Anthony Abenir said the “red-tagging” must have been the result of recent activities of the University addressing the issues of the rights of marginalized sectors and the participation in protests against strongman rule.
“All student mobilizations undergo proper screening and approval. We do not work with CPP-NPA for that matter, nor have we discussed any concerns with the government,” Abenir told the Varsitarian.
BREAKING: UST Secretary General Fr. Jesus Miranda Jr., O.P. on AFP report: Maybe they are stereotyping or because we are a Catholic university and there is a perception that we are against the present government. pic.twitter.com/06DmMXcQee
— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) October 3, 2018
The CPP-NPA refers to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army. Abenir said the University was firm on its beliefs in democracy, rule of law and good governance.
Central Student Council President Francis Santos said the AFP must ensure the veracity of its information as it had placed the security of the students and the University at risk.
“I call on the students of the University to stay vigilant and report to University authorities any suspicious or unusual acts that may or may not be related to this incident,” Santos said.
READ: Thomasian activists cry foul over AFP’s ‘red-tagging’
Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., AFP assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, revealed on Wednesday 18 schools in Manila allegedly tapped by the CPP to join the alleged “Red October” plot against the Duterte administration.
Palarde claimed some school officials were unaware that their students were being recruited to join the communist campaign. Kevin A. Alabaso and Sherwin Dane Zauro C. Haro
