Makabayan bloc urges gov’t to address ‘alarming’ student repression

MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Tuesday urged government agencies to address recorded cases of student repression across the country, emphasizing that students have the right to express dissent against anomalies, particularly in corruption. 

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution No. 1512, condemning what they described as “alarming escalation” of repression against youth leaders and students. 

READ: UST suspends 4 student activists over PAF exhibit incident

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This came after the University of Santo Tomas suspended four student activists who faced disciplinary complaints after a confrontation with a personnel of a Philippine Air Force during a campus exhibit last April 21. 

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The lawmakers also cited 10 other cases of student repression from other universities, including the University of the Philippines (UP), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), University of Eastern Philippines, Sultan Kudarat State University, Cebu Technological University, Cebu Normal University, University of Rizal Pililla, Central Luzon State University, Tarlac State University, and Cebu Institute of Technology. 

They pointed out that the cases escalated after the September 21 anti-corruption protests last year. They also mentioned the issuance of subpoenas on charges of sedition and inciting to sedition for leading anti-corruption protests in September 21, 2025 against four student leaders from UP and PUP. 

READ: CIDG files raps vs 97 persons over Sept. 21 violence

“Gusto nating makita kung ano yung explanation ng pattern kung bakit lumalala ang cases of student repression, bakit dumadami yung pagbabawal, paglalagay ng polisiya na nagpapahirap sa mga estudyanteng magmobilisa sa loob ng paaralan o di kaya sa labas,” Co told reporters in an interview. 

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(We want to know the explanation on the pattern on the worsening cases of student repression, on why the students are being prohibited to mobilize inside and outside their schools.)

The lawmakers also called for an inquiry into the possible violations of their academic freedom, assembly, and expression. 

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“Tumututol kami sa dumadaming instances of repression at pinapaimbestigahan sa pinakakagyat sa House of Representatives na pag may paglabag sa karapatang pantao gaya nito, dapat aksyunan ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Ending nito, dapat nirerespeto ang kakayahan ng kabataan na mag-organisa, magmulat, at kumilos,” Co added. 

(We are condemning the escalating instances of repression, and we want the House of Representatives to immediately investigate the human rights violations like these, and the government agencies must quickly resolve these. The rights of the students to mobilize and organize demonstrations must be respected.)

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The lawmakers noted that the lower chamber must exercise its rights in conducting an inquiry in aid of legislation into the incidents and craft measures to protect the students’ democratic spaces and rights in their campuses and communities. /mr