Youth groups in Cebu join call for Aquino to resign

CEBU, Philippines - Youth and student groups in Cebu took part in a nationwide movement Friday demanding for President Benigno Aquino III to step down.

Around 70 student leaders, members of youth groups and unions marched downtown area on Friday afternoon as they called for the president’s resignation so that justice would be served for the slain members of Special Action Forces.

“In line sa atong panawagan nato og accountability sa atong goberno sa nahitabo sa Mamasapano, sa iyang negligence, sa iyang mga constituents, mao pud ang panawagan nato nga mo-resign og mo-step down siya sa iyang position tungod kay daghan na kaayo siya og  kasaypanan nga gibuhat, sa mga kaestudyantehan ug sa katawhang Pilipino,” said Dyan Gumanao, the National Union of Students of the Philippines Vice President for Visayas.

The youth groups also strongly opposed the tuition fee increase proposed by some higher educational institutes.

Gumanao explained that they are not only fighting against the violations committed on students but also against the different sectors of society.

Groups that joined the protest included: Anakbayan Cebu, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines - Cebu, College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines Cebu, Rise for Education Alliance, Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante under University of the Philippines Cebu and the Students Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy under University of San Carlos.

Representatives from different higher educational institutes were also present in the march, including students from Cebu Normal University, Cebu Technological University, Southwestern University, University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines, Asian College of Techno-logy, University of San Jose – Recoletos and University of Cebu.

NUSP claims that consultations made by institutions for the plan to increase tuition fees and other school fees are only done to “legitimize” the proposals and not necessarily to hear their side.

But Gumanao recognized the government’s effort to listen to their sentiments raised during protests. However, she noted that the government should not only listen but should also take action.

“Ang tuition fee increase dili lang makaapekto sa mga kaestudyantehan, apil pud siya nga epekto didto sa mga ginikanan. Sa padayon nga nagkamahal nga balayrunon, daghan ang mga estudyante nga dili makapadayon og eskuwela, daghan mga ginikanan nga nagka-utang-utang, para lang mapadala ilang mga anak sa eskwelahan,” she said. — May B. Miasco/ATO (FREEMAN)