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UP-Visayas denies NPA recruitment

Philippines | Luzon

UP-Visayas denies NPA recruitment

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY — The University of the Philippines (UP)-Visayas denied that its campuses in this city and province of Iloilo are recruitment grounds for the New People’s Army (NPA).

THE University of the Philippines (UP)-Visayas campus in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)

“UP-Visayas is a safe space where students are empowered to exercise critical thinking in a democratic learning environment,” said UP-Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano after former New People's Army rebel Jeffrey Celiz claimed in a recent interview that UP-Visayas is one of the educational institutions in Panay Island that are recruitment centers for the NPA.

“Making such a dangerous and baseless generalization exposes our students and other constituents to unnecessary risks and maligns an institution that has been a reliable partner of national and local government agencies in addressing various environmental and social concerns,” Camposano noted.

Celiz, a native of Iloilo, has been a controversial figure.

He came out as a certain “Ka Eric” during the Duterte administration and has named people as NPA supporters and antagonized members of the Iloilo media.

“I call on the relevant entities and on the members of the security establishment, as well as on our leaders in Congress, not to dignify unverified, irresponsible, and dangerous statements made by the likes of Mr. Celiz,” warned Camposano.

Aside from UP-Visayas, two other educational institutions in Panay Island were also identified as alleged NPA recruitment grounds.

During an August 6 Senate hearing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) claimed that the extension campus of West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Calinog town, Iloilo and Putian National High School (PNHS) in Cuartero town, Capiz province were NPA recruitment centers.

The WVSU-Calinog and PNHS denied the claim.

Related Tags

UP-Visayas New People's Army ILOILO PROVINCE

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