Protests for educ, HR set on ML anniv

2 MIN READ

By CEGP (PR)

BAGUIO CITY — Youth and student groups nationwide will launch “strikes, walk-outs, big marches” in campuses, workplaces and communities next week as the nation commemorates the 40th year anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

In a unity statement signed by about a hundred youth organizations and alliances, the groups said that “Martial Law is still very much alive under Aquino.” The groups led by Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, National Union of Students of the Philippines and College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines expressed their protest against the rising tuition costs and the spate of human rights violations prevailing under the Aquino administration.

“We cannot simply remember. The ‘legacies’ of Marcos are still very much alive. Marcos’ Education Act of 1982 which legitimized tuition increases is still in full force today. Human rights violations, political assasinations, disappearances and fascist repression campaigns are still rampant,” said Tracy Ann Dumalo, spokesperson of Anakbayan Cordillera

Dumalo said students from University of the Philippines, Benguet State University and other schools will hold different week long activities such as exhibits, forums and protest actions from September 17-21.

“We can no longer stand the attacks on our right to education and the continuing violation of human rights and liberties. We are calling on the Aquino administration to stop pro-commercialization policies, junk Oplan Bayanihan and to stop violation of human rights,” said Cielo Marie Bayson, coordinator of Kabataan Partylist.

More than 267 tertiary schools have increased tuition this year by as much as 15%. The groups said the actual number could be much higher as government remains inutile on skyrocketing “miscellaneous” and other fees.

They said state universities and colleges such as Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Apayao State College, Mt. Province State Polytechnic College, Ifugao State University, Kalinga Apayao State College and Benguet State University which are supposed to provide accessible education have also increased fees.

This year, CAR SUC’s except BSU have been collecting 100 php/ unit. University of the Philippines Baguio, through a “rebracketing” scheme has hiked tuition from P1,000 to P1,500 per unit. Also, a bracketing scheme similar to UP Baguio’s STFAP was implemented, ultimately taking away the poor majority’s opportunity to go to school.

The groups said that justice is still elusive for victims of the Arroyo administration, and that the “bloody campaign of repression continues under Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan.”

They cited the 100 cases of political killings, the 170 political detainees and 11 abducted under Aquino.

“Aquino keeps on saying that his family was a victim of Martial Law. But he does nothing to end human rights abuses, in fact, his military counter-insurgency plan still targets civilians and activists,” Bayson said.

She said the youth and people must continue the fight “for the nation and for the future” and like the Filipinos who fought Martial Law, “must make history once more.” # nordis.net