#DefendAcademicFreedom #DefendUP

The College of Social Sciences and Philosophy of the University of the Philippines Diliman strongly objects to the action of the Department of National Defense to unilaterally end its Agreement with the University of the Philippines not to conduct military or police operations in any of our campuses without the prior notification of UP officials. This Agreement was a recognition of our academic freedom and the duty of the University to actively engage in social issues as part of our academic mandate and responsibility. During this time when many social, political and economic issues press upon the people, it is even more important that the University speaks out to clarify issues from the academic perspective to help the nation. The Agreement respected the unique role of the University and its officials in molding and nurturing the minds of the youth in a protected academic environment and did not prohibit the authorities from enforcing the law. Removing the Agreement will only serve to terrorize those who seek to participate in critical national discourse that is our duty as konsensya ng bayan.