The administration of the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) ensured students it would avoid more lock-ins in the future.
Student leaders gathered for a dialog with the institution’s administration to discuss the issue on the lock in of student-residents of the Elias B. Lopez (EBL) dormitory last April 28 during the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2019.
Himati, the official student publication of the UPMin, said the administration would have changes in the security of the institution.
“…So we are thinking of having three gates to at least secure our Academic Oval — first is in the university entrance, second in the Kalimudan Road going to EBL, and third from the Sports Center going to the area just before CSM (College of Science and Math,)” UP Mindanao Chancellor Larry Digal said.
In April 28, student residents of the EBL dorm were not allowed to go outside the dorm over security protocols.
During the lock in, no movements were allowed in the area – an hour before and one hour after President Rodrigo Duterte graced the event.
The lock in was to contain anything that could distract the security of the president.
“The helicopter was targeted to land at 3 p.m. There is a possibility that when we say lock in, anything that could distract or disturb the security of the president is contained,” Joel Sagadal, UPMin Land Management Officer, explained.
However, the UPMin administration said they were not given prior information on the matter.
“We were also not informed about it,” Vice Chancellor for Administration Aurelia Luzviminda Gomez said.
While the protocol for national security supersedes all the other protocols, the UPMin administration should be, at least, informed so they could prepare, Sadagal said.
Reports also stated that there were students who were approached and asked to pinpoint those who were alleged to join a suspected rally.
“Coming also from the perspective of OSA, which is concerned with student welfare, maybe we can also remind them that while we understand the protocol, approaching the students and asking them to point out who are the Reds here is not right,” Ma. Teresa Escano, Director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), said.
The UPMin administration said that the students can file a report about these incidents.
