These days, not protesting is a form of protest in itself.
The Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, two top institutions in the Philippines released statements yesterday that they will not be suspending classes tomorrow despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declaring it a “National Day of Protest.”
Sept. 21 marks the 45th anniversary of the day former dictator Marcos declared martial law nationwide. Duterte told reporters on Monday that government work and classes in public schools will be suspended on that day. He said that this was not a holiday but a day of protest.
Ateneo announced their decision to not suspend classes by posting a memo from Maria Luz C. Vilches, the vice president for the Loyola Schools which the university is under.
“As a community, we are not blind to the lessons of our history,” the memo reads. It also includes a list of activities to be held on campus that will allow their community to “reflect on the past and pray fervently for the future of our nation.”
These activities include “A Workshop on Activism and the Specter of Martial Law” and “UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Narratives of Resistance from Martial Law Activists.”
La Salle’s announcement was shared through the official student publication, The Lasallian and reminded that the suspension of classes only applies to public schools, colleges, and universities.
On Monday, Rappler reported that private companies and schools can decide whether or not to suspend classes tomorrow.
Apart from the two universities, many find that it is in bad taste to commemorate the first day of the more than 10-year Marcos dictatorship.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said in a statement made public yesterday that the declaration is “grossly tainted with insincerity” because Duterte has been vocal about his admiration for the dictator.
Some Filipinos online have similar thoughts.
https://twitter.com/kelbigatin/status/910332184417886208
so Duterte declared September 21 as National Day of Protest? protest from what? anong kalokohan na naman to Digong?!
— MPMIII (@buruguduy) September 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/ichoylopez/status/910309760079060992
Both Ateneo and La Salle have spoken out against the violence in the administration’s war on drugs. Last week, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Babble Batallion pep squad protested the rampant killings during their halftime performance in a University league basketball game.
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