THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines on Friday lauded the decision of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in relieving Maj. Gen Alex Luna, Armed Forces of the Philippines’ deputy chief of staff for intelligence, over the release of the erroneous list of UP alumni who supposedly joined the New People’s Army.

“We in the University of the Philippines express our appreciation for Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s decisive action in relieving Major General Alex Luna following the publication of a list of alleged members of the New People’s Army killed by state forces,” UP said in a statement.

The list was published on social media pages of the AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations.

The university said that Lorenzana displayed “professionalism and willingness” to take responsibility and rectify errors.

“As UP stands for honor and excellence, we recognize and salute honor wherever it is manifested,” it said.

On Friday, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, the Armed Forces’ deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations, went on leave pending an investigation on his office’s publication of the list.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay ordered an investigation “to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Gapay said the investigation will continue despite Luna’s relief.