CHED stands by students' right to protest, urges schools to protect them

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education is standing by the rights of students in higher education institutions to join protests, saying the youth must not be "silenced, threatened or intimidated" for speaking out against corruption. 

In a statement on Tuesday, September 23, the commission also reminded colleges and universities to safeguard students who may face harassment for speaking out.

“[Students] must never be silenced, threatened, or intimidated for standing up against corruption,” CHED said in its statement. “The voices of our students must not only be heard but also defended, for they are vital to building a just, transparent, and corruption-free Philippines.”

CHED said schools are expected to protect students, respond swiftly to any threats, and "extend full support to those who may be targeted."

Matters of surveillance and policing, CHED added, should be left to security forces, who must act with respect for students’ rights.

"CHED likewise leaves matters of monitoring and intelligence to the proper authorities and expresses full trust in our police and military to responsibly carry out their mandate of maintaining peace and security," the commission said.

"What is important is that these efforts are carried out with respect for the rights of students who choose to express themselves within the law," it added.

CHED also cautioned against disinformation, clarifying that it had not ordered students to attend rallies. 

“Participation is their personal choice, and we trust in their discernment as critical thinkers shaped by higher education,” it said.

The rare statement from CHED on its students' right to express dissent follows massive demonstrations staged in various locations across Metro Manila over the weekend.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos marched against corruption in flood control works on September 21, with fury largely directed at officials who reportedly pocketed kickbacks from shoddy projects that were supposed to benefit flood-prone communities. 

Police in Manila arrested more than 200 people, including 88 minors, during Sunday’s demonstrations. The rallies were largely peaceful through the day but turned tense in the late afternoon after police responded to protesters' throwing of objects at officers with brute force. 

Video clips taken in Mendiola and Recto show some protesters being shoved, kicked and pulled by the neck by cops, actions that rights groups have condemned as an excessive use of force.  

Footage published by Bilyonaryo show at least a dozen police officers arresting one protester before beating him with batons and repeatedly kicking his body. The protester has since been identified as University of the Philippines Diliman student Matthew Wowi Villanueva, based on the report of the university's student publication, the Philippine Collegian.  

RELATED: Fact check: Police dispersal, arrest of protesters during Sept. 21 protests reported by media

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — who vowed a thorough investigation into anomalies in flood control works during his State of the Nation Address in July — had earlier expressed support for the protests against corruption. He told reporters previously, “Do you blame them for going out on the streets? If I weren’t president, I might be out in the streets with them."

CHED said in its Tuesday statement that its position is consistent with Marcos’ stance that citizens must be allowed to voice indignation over corruption. 

"Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s support for citizens making their voices heard, CHED affirms that the youth have every right to demand accountability and good governance, especially in the face of the serious corruption issues confronting the nation today," CHED said.