UP students continue protest for Kristel

MANILA, Philippines - At least 30 students of the University of the Philippines-Manila walked out of their classes and stormed the compound of the Philippine General Hospital as protests continue in connection with the suicide of freshman Kristel Tejada, who was forced to take a leave from school for her failure to pay tuition.

Radio reports said that from the classrooms, the protesting students marched to the PGH grounds and attempted to enter the UP-Manila's administration office.

The students were supposed to hold a dialog with UP-Manila officials in relation to the university's rules on the payment of tuition and student loan.

The students said that instead of asking for a dialog with a few students, the officials of the university should discuss the matter with all the UP students.

On Monday, which was declared as a day of mourning for Tejada, students and faculty members wore black for Tejada, who committed suicide last week after filing a leave of absence from the school for her failure to pay tuition.

The 16-year-old behavioral science student drank silver cleaning solution at their house in Tondo, Manila.

As the day of mourning was observed, protests were held and UP-Manila Chancellor Manuel Agulto was asked to resign over Tejada's suicide.

Facing the media and students, Agulto almost broke into tears as he defended the university's management from allegations of being "cold-hearted and ruthless."

While Agulto was facing the media, several students staged a protest rally outside the administration building at the Quezon Hall.