A women's group aired support for the Miriam College Community after National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson for Youth Affairs Celine Pialago claimed that "joining rallies was a class requirement."
In a statement, Gabriela Youth affirmed that "there is nothing wrong with students and faculties being critical with the policies of the government."
"The attempt by Celine Pialago to water down students' initiative to collectively take part in mobilization as a form of dissent highlights the regime's cronies that resort to underrating the masses' collective action in light with the administration's criminal negligence and blatant disrespect to human rights," the group said.
Pialago, an alumna of Miriam College, said during a virtual event hosted by the NTF-ELCAC that during her time as a college student, she was very active in joining rallies as they "give additional points in classes."
Gabriela Youth stressed that joining organizations, mobilizations, and integrating with the basic masses are "ways to raise one's political consciousness.:
"In times like this, it is imperative to us, young people to involve ourselves in the political affairs of our country."
READ MORE: Miriam College alumni clap back at Pialago for claiming schools required joining rallies