Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) president Manuel Muhi denied a military official's claims that the campus is among several universities in Metro Manila that serve as recruitment hubs for the New People's Army (NPA).
Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), recently claimed that PUP and several other universities in the country are being used by the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), as recruitment grounds.
In a Facebook live broadcast on Monday, Muhi said the university works hand-in-hand with the government in producing topnotch graduates.
"Uulitin ko na hindi tayo isang recruitment hub ng NPA (I will repeat that we are not a recruitment hub for the NPA)," he said.
"Bilang isang institusyon of higher learning, tayo po ay katuwang ng gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong edukasyon o pang-edukasyon na nagpo-produce ng pinaka-marami at pinakamahuhusay na professional sa bansa (As an institute of high learning, we are one with the government in providing educational services and producing the most number of excellent professionals in the country)," he added.
PUP has repeatedly topped lists of universities where employers prefer to hire new graduates from.
Muhi called for unity in the PUP community and called for the protection of the university's students, teachers, and staff.
"Hinihiling ko po na proteksyunan ang imahe ng sintang paaralan, proteksyunan po natin ang mga estudyanteng nagsisikap at nagaaral nang mabuti kahit sa gitna ng takot ng pandemya (I am hoping for the protection of the image of our beloved school, let us protect our students who persevere with their studies in spite of their fear of the pandemic)," he said.
"Patuloy silang gabayan upang ang kanilang pangarap na makapagtapos at makahanap ng maayos na trabaho at makapag-ambag sa pagpapaunlad sa ating bansa (Let us continue to guide them so that they can achieve their dreams of finishing their studies, getting a good job, and contribute to the progress of our nation)," he added.
"Hubugin natin ang ating mga estudyante para maging isang mapakinabang at responsableng mamamayan (Let us shape our students so they can be productive and responsible citizens)," he added. "Ito ay para sa ikakaunlad ng ating bansa at hindi sa ikakapahamak nito (This is for the progress of our nation and not for its destruction)."
In a recent radio interview, Parlade named the following schools as communist recruitment sites: the University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), University of Makati, Far Eastern University (FEU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and PUP, among others.
Universities such as FEU, UST, DLSU, ADMU, PLM, and San Beda University have already released statements denouncing Parlade's accusations.
Following the Department of Defense's termination of its accord with UP, Duterte Youth Partylist Rep. Ducielle Cardema called on them to abrogate its 1990 accord with PUP as well.
The accord prevents state forces from entering UP and PUP campuses without prior notice. Cardema said the PUP-DND accord should be cancelled to prevent giving "special treatment" to any university.
Student activists from PUP have protested against Cardema's remarks. The PUP Student Regent and Central Student Council President have also filed a position paper before Cardema's office, urging lawmakers to oppose the termination of the UP-DND and the possible termination of the PUP-DND accords.