THE University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication has urged authorities to release one of its students, one of six activists apprehended by the police during a protest against the expanded US military presence in the country in front of the US Embassy early yesterday.
“This morning a CMC student was arrested after participating in a lightning rally in Manila.
We call on the authorities for the immediate release of the student and for them to uphold our rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, “the UP CMC said in a statement posted on its website.
In another statement, the college also urged calm and responsibility in posting information online in the aftermath of the arrest.
“This includes checking for the accuracy of such information, engaging in discussions civilly, and caring for each other’s welfare online and in person,” it said, adding “We honor our freedom of information by heeding this shared responsibility.”
Though the college did not identify the arrested student, the Defend UP Network said the Manila police apprehended film student John Gabriel “Mags” Magtibay when it dispersed the unannounced protest action spearheaded by activists and other organizations in front of the US embassy.
Defend UP Network is a student-led alliance for the protection of the state-run university’s academic freedom.
It said Magtibay is the current chairperson of political party Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) and former vice chairperson of the CMC college council.
The alliance later said four of the six apprehended have been released by the police.
The four, it said, were all paralegals trying to help free Magtibay and another student activist arrested by the police.
Magtibay and another activist were still at the Manila police station in Ermita.
In a tweet, Magtibay confirmed his arrest and subsequent detention.
A report by the Manila police said Magtibay and five others who were arrested were part of a group that suddenly appeared in front of the embassy in Roxas Boulevard early yesterday.
“They intentionally threw paint at the sign and logo of the US Embassy,” part of the police report said.
It said the six were arrested for vandalism and holding protest action without permit from the local authorities in violation of Batas Pambansa 880 which governs the holding of protests and assemblies.
UP Student Regent Siegfred Severino also called for the immediate release of the detained activists, saying the arrest and detention were a violation of their right to free speech.
