Students protest vs. Duterte, Marcos

CEBU, Philippines — While some groups are staging movements and rallies in support of the Dutertes, students from major univer sities have taken a different approach, calling for the conviction of both the Duterte and Marcos administrations.

Yesterday, progressive youth groups and student organizations from various universities in Cebu staged the “Student Walkout Against Repression.”

Students from the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu Normal University (CNU), the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR), the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu), and Southwestern University (SWU) braved the scorching heat as they marched from USC’s downtown campus to CNU along Osmeña Boulevard, culminating their protest at Fuente Osmeña Circle.

The student protesters amplified their grievances, including rising tuition fees, budget cuts for state universities, and school policies that allegedly curtail freedom of expression and student organizing.

They carried signs and placards with slogans calling for justice and accountability, chanting, “Defend Acad Freedom! Education Not for Sale!”

Duterte-Marcos accountability

Among the key demands of the demonstrators was the immediate arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Jose Paulo Echavez, second nominee of the Kabataan Partylist, Duterte must be held accountable for the thousands of deaths during his administration’s controversial drug war.

He shared that over 150 youth were killed without due process—citing Kian delos Santos’ case as just one of many. Delos Santos was the 17-year-old student slain in a police operation in 2017.

Echavez also condemned Duterte’s red-tagging and the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law, which he said further suppressed students’ rights.

As the protesters marched through the city’s streets, some motorists were seen shouting, “Duterte! Duterte!”

“We have the right to express ourselves and (express the) freedom nga gi guarantee sa atong constitutional rights. Wether critical or dili, dapat dili ihunong ug ipa silence ang students sa ilang panawagan,” said Echavez.

He emphasized that student activism should not be confined within classrooms.

According to him, the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial in September could be a significant step toward Duterte’s conviction.

“This September sa ICC, unta ma-confirm na ang charges ni Duterte kay daghan, nagpatong-patong na jud ang mga proof ug lain-lain nga ebidensiya sa iyang bulok kaayo nga drug war og inosenting tawo,” the protester added.

Aside from Duterte’s arrest, the protesters also called for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged misuse of government funds.

Students further demanded that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. be held accountable for continuing the bloody drug war and alleged corruption.

“Daghan sad kaayog sala. Ang drug war nagpadayon lang gihapon, daghan ang nangamatay nga innocent nga wala tarong nga due process,” Echavez stated.

In their stand, they attribute the increasing hostility today to the Duterte administration’s legacy, which they claim fostered a culture of violence.

“Dili namo ma-blame ang mga tao kay we are hungry for change—hungry for a better society. Pero ang bulok nga change nga gihatag ni Duterte, naghatag pud og culture of violence og polarization,” Echavez shared.

Student repressions

Students also voiced their opposition to policies that they say limit their academic freedom.

Many student publications have faced censorship, while some students have reportedly been subjected to intimidation and expulsion for their activism.

Hans Balila, a student leader from the University of San Carlos, criticized the university’s decision-making process, stating that students lack proper representation.

“The student council does not have a seat in the policy-making body, so we are demanding genuine student representation,” Balila said.

He also emphasized that the walkout was an act of solidarity with other universities nationwide.

“It has always been in our history to resist—not only within our university but also against national issues affecting the Filipino people,” he said.

Meanwhile, a CNU student representative also denounced the government’s education policies, particularly budget cuts in state universities and the increasing reliance on online learning.

He criticized the reduction of face-to-face classes at CNU, stating that the implementation of SMART Campus has hindered students’ ability to receive quality education.

“Sa usa ka semana, usa rami ka adlaw moadto sa eskwelahan. Na-compromise ang kalidad sa edukasyon sa CNU,” he shared.

The student protesters also raised concerns about red-tagging and harassment.

According to Echavez, many activists and student organizations have been accused of having ties to communist groups without any basis, putting them at risk of persecution.

“Magpadayon gihapon mi sa among panawagan kay walay sayop sa among gibuhat,” he said.

“We are non-violent people, and we are shouting because this is our constitutional right,” he added. — (FREEMAN)