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The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman has vowed to defend its time-honored policy of academic freedom and critical thinking as it denounced threats of defunding amid red-tagging in a statement released today, November 20, 2020.
"We will strongly defend the University's time-honored traditions of academic freedom and critical thinking. UP's proud history of service and activism has shown that we can do both." said UP Diliman Chancellor, Fidel Nemenzo.
He also added that what UP critics brand as subversive comes from discontent at the way things are and a desire for change which UP education exposes their students - to think on their own, think critically, to reason out, and distinguish truth from lies, right from wrong.
"Those who blame UP for breeding communists forget that UP has bred more scientists, artists, doctors, lawyers, diplomats, and civil servants." Nemenzo said.
This was after President Duterte threatened to cut the funding of the institution and accused them for recruiting communists.
The accusations stemmed from Duterte's mistaken claim over universities calling for "academic strike" to protest against the alleged inefficiency of the government in addressing disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students of Ateneo de Manila University started the call for an academic freeze.
Nemenzo, said in the same statement that UP is a safe haven for civilized and intelligent discourse, which has no place for intolerance, bigotry as well as red-tagging which for him is dangerous.
"Red-tagging in particular is dangerous, because it focuses on labels over substance and encourages intimidation and violence." he said.
He also added that the choice of faculty and students to express their grievances, criticize the government and call for policy changes, is their fundamental and inalienable right as Filipino citizens.
Photo from up.edu.ph
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