UP students unfazed by Duterte's threat vs protesters

MANILA, Philippines — Students of the University of the Philippines who took part in a nationwide protest on Thursday were unfazed by the threat of President Duterte that he will strip them of the right to study at the country's premier state university.

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP), a political party in UP Diliman, said the student movement will push through with its plan to organize a bigger protest on February 23 to condemn some of the policies of the Duterte administration.

"Duterte has the gall to say that he will provide university slots to Lumads, yet only months prior he has unabashedly threatened to bomb Lumad schools in Mindanao, along with sending military troops to their communities, harassing them and causing them to evacuate from their ancestral lands," the group said.

"If there is anyone who needs to give up his slot, it is none but Rodrigo Duterte himself. He and his allies can only expect bigger and bigger protests," it added.

On Thursday, Duterte threatened to give the slots of protesting UP students to Lumad children.

"I'll give you a privilege: don't come to school for a year. I'll let the bright Lumad enter UP," he said as hundreds of students walked out of their classes to protest against the administration.

In a separate statement, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) shrugged off the president's remark, saying it is a manifestation of his fear toward broadening protests against his government.

"The youth and students will definitely launch much bigger walkouts. After being a burden to the Filipinos by waging a political and economic war against the people, he should not be surprised," the NUSP said.

"He really does not know how to hide his fear of the broadening protests. He trembles, knowing that the collective struggle of the youth with the rest of the Filipino people has already toppled a dictator: his idol Marcos," it added.

The Kabataan party-list also hit Duterte's supposed concern of indigenous peoples in Mindanao, noting his previous statement threatening to bomb Lumad schools.

"This sudden concern about the education of Lumads comes from Duterte who, not so long ago, also threatens to bomb Lumad schools. His military has subjected their communities to prolonged harassment, food blockades, heightened militarization, and killing spree," the party-list group said.

"His statement also exposes the true nature of his 'free education' scam: not all will benefit; instead of guaranteeing the right of every child to education, he dangles it around every time there is opposition to his fanatical dictatorship," it added.

Free education? Not yet

The students also denounced the supposed misleading claims of the Duterte administration on the removal of fees in college.

"Because the Duterte administration still allows the collection of fees from students, education in the country remains inaccessible. Tuition, miscellaneous fees, venue rental fees, and prices of student services like food in campuses continue to rise," UP student regent Shari Oliquino said.

"Duterte's free education law is a deceptive device used to mask the rotten educational system we have: one that sells education like a commodity," she added.

STAND UP noted that in UP, students still pay fees, including venue rental fees for organizations.

"In January we witnessed the suicide of a 19-year-old student from Cagayan State University who was suffering from unpaid school fees among other factors," said the organization.

"Private institutions will once again increase its tuition this year. Clearly, the Duterte regime's free education is a sham," it added.

A National Day of Walkout will be organized by the students on Feb. to protest Duterte's policies, including the continued implementation of Oplan Tokhang, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the tax reform law and the jeepney phaseout.