Tiffany Geluz 

Representatives of the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) signed a Declaration of Cooperation that will serve as the initial framework for joint projects and activities following the UP’s mission for public service on August 8. 

Photo Courtesy of Palawan News.

The declaration was signed by UP President Angelo Jimenez at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City and was released in the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs' website on August 13.

Collaboration of projects and activities are expected between UP and AFP through the Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM) and UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS). 

A separate Memorandum of Agreement will allow AFP OSSM of regular university visit to “handle the administrative arrangements and co-supervise participants in pre-join activities/events.”

The UP CIDS will be open to “host AFP personnel visits, exchanges, and research fellowships.”

The activities involved in the agreement will be subject to the availabiltiy of funds, but will include “research, publication, training, organizing conferences, and visits.”

UP President Angelo Jimenez explained that the declaration not a legally-binding instrument, but solely for future collaborations.

 “Publications; soliciting articles; upgrading quality of Quarterly Digest submissions; sharing of technical expertise; personnel visits, exchanges and research fellowships; co-developing new systems relevant to the mission of both participants” will be formalized by a Memorandum of Agreement and accompanying Terms of Reference in compliance with the declaration. 

The agreement will be effective for two years and can be extended or renewed if both parties agree.

The UP Office of Student regent responded and expressed concerns that it would put the university in disposition of involvement in human rights violations and political oppression. 

“It also essentially legitimizes ongoing suppression of critical voices and progressive initiatives within the university that the military deems inimical to its notion of "national security,"” they asserted in a statement posted on Facebook. 

They also revealed that no consultation of the UP community was made by Jimena prior to signing the agreement. 

“This is most despicable and should merit the strongest condemnation from the students, faculty, staff, and other community members, including all University Councils in all constitutent universities. This is only the latest in a long line of undemocratic actions and decisions by the Jimenez administration,” they said. 

Jimenez acknowledged their feedback and highlighted the ability of scholarships to eradicate red-tagging.

"If we introduce high levels of scholarship, red tagging will be exposed for what it is: unscientific, political,... Red-tagging will eventually have to be defeated by scholarship," he asserted.

 “[T]he agreement will allow the university to "introduce new notions of human security and new greater understanding of human rights based on the concept of national security," he added.

The Defend UP Network along with members of the UP community will hold a press conference on August 14 at the Vinzons Hall to oppose the agreement as they believe it empowers military intrusion in UP campuses. 

Prior to this, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa claimed that UP students are easy targets for NPA recruitment and encouraged guidance counselors to profile students. 

“'Pag nakita niyo ang isang estudyante na medyo matalino – pag UP talaga matalino naman talaga eh – medyo matalino tapos medyo tahimik, tapos medyo parang galit sa mundo,” he remarked.