THE ADMINISTRATION of San Beda University denied its inclusion as one of the educational institutions where the left-wing Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army have allegedly recruited their members.

“As a Catholic educational institution, San Beda University at no time will abet the recruitment of its faculty members, students, and personnel to organizations that profess atheistic and godless ideologies, and that advocate violence and destabilization,” the university said.

San Beda said it exercises academic freedom to determine “who should teach, what to teach, how to teach, and who should be taught” in adherence to the school’s mission and vision.

“San Beda University endeavors at the highest of academic standards and advocates high level of research. The Bedan community must therefore safeguard the freedom to study, to research, and to engage in discourse as essential components of university-level education,” it said.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict earlier listed 38 colleges and universities it believes are targeted by the CPP-NPA, which the Anti-Terrorism Council declared as terrorist group, for its radicalization and recruitment.

The pronouncement came following NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade claim that some 18 schools in the country, mostly in the National Capital Region, are hotbeds of anti-government communist recruitment.

But SBU reiterated it does not align itself with associations that profess beliefs incompatible with the rule of law, teachings of the church and the Hallmarks of Benedictine education.

“We continue to commend ourselves to the prayers of Our Lady of Montserrat, Our Holy Father St. Benedict, and our Patron, St. Bede,” it said.

The university urged members of the community to keep the university with organizations that undermine peace, justice, and freedom.