THE BICOL State University and the Central Philippines University denied the allegations of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that they are one of the universities deemed ‘recruitment havens’  of the National People’s Army (NPA).

The tag came from Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., NTF-ECLAC spokesman, who said the two universities are in the list of schools where the NPA holds recruitment activities.

BU said that it teaches students critical thinking, peaceful dissent and to not bear arms against the government.

It added that it has yet to receive reports from authorities about recruitment activities in campus.

“As a higher educational institution, Bicol University, along with the rest of the universities, enjoys academic freedom as guaranteed in our Constitution. We provide an avenue where students can develop critical thinking skills and exercise peaceful dissent as by-products of a healthy, and thriving democracy,” BU said in a statement on Facebook.

“There being no reports, data or other solid proof coming from concerned authorities sufficient for us to conclude that indeed such alleged acts are being committed within the university, we find no reason to curtail the academic freedom we deservedly practice and enjoy. We neither condone nor support such alleged acts as mentioned in the report; believing that each person carves and chooses one’s meaningful path,” it added.

The university said that red-tagging puts its constituents in a vulnerable position as it only creates unfounded suspicion.

Meanwhile, the CPU said that it teaches students to be active participants in nation-building and has never condoned armed resistance against the government.

“As a responsible Christian Institution of higher education, we mold our students to become active participants in nation-building. We breed in them the burning desire to uphold democracy and advance social justice. We instill in them respect and support for the government,” CPU said.

“The University does not and has never condoned activities which promote recruitment for armed resistance to the government. As Christians, we encourage peaceful resolution of conflicts. This is the humane thing to do,” it added.