THE ACADEMIC sector called for an end to President Duterte’s “misrule” through a unity statement signed by 221 professors, academics, and education workers from universities here and abroad.

“The Filipino people have suffered enough under this incompetent, criminally negligent, traitorous, and murderous Duterte regime. We cannot allow this to continue any further, especially not for another six years. So today, the academic community is adding its voice to the people’s call for an end to Duterte’s misrule,” Dr. Ramon Guillermo, lead convenor of the Academics Unite for Democracy and Human Rights, said.

The group criticized the Duterte administration’s militaristic approach to the health crisis, the education crisis due to poor state support, the “sell-out” of national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea issue,  among others.

“The Philippines clearly cannot afford another six years under Duterte and his allies. His plan to run for Vice President alongside his daughter’s candidacy for President is a transparent bid to extend his power and escape accountability beyond 2022,” it said.

“We cannot allow this if we stand for human rights and the defense of Philippine sovereignty. We cannot allow this if we still hope for an effective and humane response to the Covid19 public health crisis. We in the education sector are of one voice in calling for an end to Duterte’s misrule. Duterte Wakasan Na!” it added.

Most of the signatories are faculty members and staff of public and private universities and colleges in the country, including UP and Ateneo, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University,  Adamson University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Saint Mary’s University, Batangas State University, Kalayaan College, Don Bosco Technical College, Visayas State University, Arellano University, Trinity University of Asia, Arellano, University of San Carlos, Davao Medical School Foundation, Bulacan State University, and ABADA College, among others.

Academics from international education institutions like Nagoya University, California State University, University of Melbourne, Interagency Academy, LaGuardia Community College Osaka University, and Bronx Community College also signed the statement.