6 February 2023
Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota condemned the arrest of Dr. Melania Flores, immediate past President of the All U.P. Academic Employees Union, saying it’s a violation of the accord between the University and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). He called for the immediate release of Dr. Flores, and an impartial investigation on the serious lapses on protocol by the Philippine National Police.
Regent Ramota said the arrest made inside the campus violates both the UP-DILG accord, and Dr. Flores’ Miranda rights. He added that there was no prior coordination with Diliman authorities on the planned apprehension, and the arresting officers reportedly introduced themselves as employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development out to give aid to households.
The Faculty Regent said the arrest comes in the wake of a series of documented cases of harassment and intimidation against UP constituents, the latest being the abduction of UP Cebu lecturer Armand Dayoha and alumna, Dyan Gumanao on January 10.
Regent Ramota pointed out that Dr. Flores’ arrest, and the Cebu abduction incident highlight the need for the institutionalization of a mechanism for monitoring and quick response against rights violations. The Faculty Regent urged the University to use its full administrative and legal machinery to uphold and protect its constituency from intrusion, and keep its campuses a safe haven for political thought and action.
One of the proposals adopted in the Office of the Faculty Regent’s first Tipunan system-wide consultative meeting held on February 2 in UP Manila is the establishment of a Committee on the Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights, both at the System and constituent university levels. Faculty Regent Ramota plans to present the consolidated proposals before the Board of Regents and the administration of incoming UP President Angelo Jimenez for approval. #
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#HandsOffOurUnionists
#HandsOffOurTeachers