UP Film Institute denounces AFP claim screenings used to recruit rebels

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines Film Institute has denounced a claim by the military that film screenings at UP "are a means to recruit students to the New People's Army."

UPFI, which is attached to the UP College of Mass Communications in Diliman,said that its activities are meant to educate about Philippine history and culture, and "to promote and protect the highest ideals of the university, including love for one's country and the pursuit of truth."

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AFP: Film viewings for 'Red October' plot

The statement is part of growing backlash against a claim by Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, that schools are being used as venues for recruitment for a so-called "Red October" plot.

The supposed plot was initially said to have been a conspiracy between communist rebels, the pro-military Magdalo group and the Liberal Party, a traditional political party. All allegedly involved have disavowed the alleged plot and the AFP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have since cleared Magdalo and LP.

Parlade said martial law films were being used to "incite students to rebel against the government, incite resurgence of the First Quarter Storm experience among students, while projecting President Duterte as the new Marcos."

UPFI said it is in protest of the military's imputation of malice in its activities.

"We decry the threat to us, our students and student organizations, and our audiences that the pronouncement implies at a time when the state is engaged in intense counter-insurgency operations," it also said.

"We denounce any explicit or implicit attempt to censor us and other universities named by the AFP, especially in these critical times and to curtail the responsible use of our freedom of expression, speech and assembly in the University of the Philippines and beyond," it also said.

It said the AFP should retract the statement "in the interest of truth." 

Film community rejects AFP claim

Earlier on Thursday, more than 300 filmmakers, media workers, cultural workers and members of the film and artistic communityissued a statement condemning the AFP for "essentially [accusing] us and the organizations that sponsor film screenings on martial law of recruiting for the New People’s Army."

"Our film screenings provide an invaluable service to the youth, the students and the general audience, especially since our education system has largely failed in informing them about the systemic atrocities that happened during the martial law era," they said.

"The screenings hope to provide them with knowledge and insight into that dark chapter in our history, especially since many of the actual perpetrators and beneficiaries of that fascist dictatorship have fully rehabilitated themselves back into mainstream politics and into positions of power," they also said.

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UP Diliman: Of course, we show anti-Martial Law videos

UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, on Thursday, said the AFP's claims are reminiscent of the accusations during Martial Law.

"Para naman replay ito ng mga accusations noong panahon ng Martial Law no?" Tan said on the AFP's claim over GMA's "News To Go.". 

He said that as a national university, UP opens its doors to the people.

"Of course, we show anti-Martial Law videos. And you consider that communist? I think that's what's happening with the military eh, because we allow showing of anti-martial law [films], we allow peasants in, we allow Lumads in. If that is communist then I'm sorry. What do you expect us to do now?"

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