CHED defends students joining protests

National

STUDENTS must not be silenced, threatened, or intimidated.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said this as it defended students in higher education institutions who joined protest rallies.

“[Students] must never be silenced, threatened, or intimidated for standing up against corruption,” CHED said in a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 23. “The voices of our students must not only be heard but also defended, for they are vital to building a just, transparent, and corruption-free Philippines.”

CHED also reminded colleges and universities to safeguard students who may face harassment for speaking out.

In a report by Philstar, CHED said schools are expected to protect students, respond swiftly to any threats.

"CHED likewise leaves matters of monitoring and intelligence to the proper authorities and expresses full trust in our police and military to responsibly carry out their mandate of maintaining peace and security," the commission said.

"What is important is that these efforts are carried out with respect for the rights of students who choose to express themselves within the law," it added.

While it stands by the rights of students to join protests, CHED clarified that it had not ordered students to attend rallies.

“Participation is their personal choice, and we trust in their discernment as critical thinkers shaped by higher education,” it said.

CHED’s statement came after students were part of the thousands of Filipinos who staged rallies against corruption in flood control works on Sunday, Sept. 21.(MyTVCebu)