Around 30 students from various schools gathered outside Gate 2 of Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, Oct. 27.

The protesters called for the release of several youth activists who were arrested during the “Trillion Peso March” protest held last Sept. 21.

The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “Youth Fight Back” and “Tanggalin ang mga kawatan, hindi ang boses ng kabataan.” 

Their action prompted authorities to temporarily close Gate 2 as a precaution while the students held their program.

Members of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) community also joined the protest, staging a lightning rally outside the police headquarters. 

The activity coincided with the refusal of SKM President Tiffany Brillante, AKM National Chairperson Jacob Baluyot, and other youth leaders to appear before what they described as a“huwad na imbestigasyon”by the PNP-CIDG, in connection with the anti-corruption mobilization held on September 21.

The groups said the rally was a show of solidarity with detained youth activists and a condemnation of what they called the government’s continued harassment and intimidation of student leaders. 

They also urged the administration to prioritize education funding over surveillance and repression.

“Hamon ng kabataan sa administrasyong ito na ilaan na lamang sa edukasyon ang pondo sa paniniktik, panunupil, at paninindak ng kabataan. Marahil ay hindi matatakot ang laksa-laksang hanay ng sangkaestudyantehan kahit gaano karami pang subpoena ang ipadala ng teroristang pulisya (The youth challenge this administration to allocate funds for spying, suppressing, and intimidating the youth to education only. Perhaps the thousands of students will not be afraid no matter how many subpoenas the terrorist police send),” the protesters said during the rally. 

The program ended peacefully, with participants reiterating their call for justice and expressing solidarity with detained student leaders.