Bato allays campus militarization fears
Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa on Tuesday shrugged off concerns of militarization and police intervention amid the “day of walkout and action” set by students to protest proposals allowing police and military entry to state colleges and universities. In a television interview, the senator clarified that he respects the right of the youth to express themselves, but emphasized that there is a line between activism and taking up arms against the government.
“I am pro-student activism, because we need that,” said De la Rosa. “Youth activism should be present in society, but the question is, where do you draw the line between youth activism and joining rebel groups to participate in an armed struggle?”
De la Rosa pointed out that the accord — a 1989 UP Department of National Defense Agreement, that bans the presence of police and military personnel inside state university campuses — is very one-sided.
“They won’t allow police and military to come into campuses because of fear of militarization and hindrances to academic freedom, but the Leftist groups are free to roam around campuses to recruit students,” said De la Rosa, who was also a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
“So if they really want academic freedom, then they should give students the liberty to choose on which side they want to join,” he added.
The senator also reiterated that members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines should be allowed to enter state universities to curb the supposed brainwashing activities being conducted by Left-leaning groups on campus.
“We will go inside campuses to mingle with students and give orientation regarding government and its side on issues regarding the youth,” said De la Rosa. “But what’s happening right now is that those Leftist groups are free to roam state universities.”
If they really want academic freedom, then they should give students the liberty to choose on which side they want to join.