Does this look like a reasonable way to exercise “freedom of speech”?
The vision-mission marker displayed outside the Department of Education (DepEd) complex was vandalized by members of the Makabayan bloc, said Edwin Uy, DepEd Assistant Secretary.
According to his post, members of the Makabayan Coalition (i.e. Kabataan, Anakbayan, LFS, KMU) decided to “Occupy DepEd” yesterday, May 26. They pretended to be visitors and allegedly wrote the word “JUNK” using a silver spray paint over the DepEd marker.
The group strongly opposes the implementation of the K to 12 program.
Uy emphasized that DepEd is currently engaged in a dialogue with the representatives of Makabayan.
In a meeting last Friday, Uy said that the group had a contingent of about 20 people protesting outside the main gates of the DepEd even if they were already discussing the issues. Possible solutions were already being offered. However, the group said that “it was standard for them to do this even if there’s a dialogue.”
Uy found the protest acceptable but the vandalism, he said, went too far.
“Ginagalang namin ang inyong mga pananaw. Iisa ang ating mithiin na lahat ng Pilipino ay umunlad at makapasok sa mga ligtas at magagandang paaralan. Pakiusap lang: itigil na natin ang mga kalokohan at stunt. (We respect your views. We have the same goal of seeing the Filipino people in good schools. Please, lets stop the stunts.)” Uy pleaded.
The DepEd has no power to abolish the K to 12 program unless the Supreme Court renders a decision. They are merely following the law which tells them to implement the program fully.
