THE RISE for Education Alliance condemned Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera III for reprimanding the University of the Philippines over its opposition to the pullout of “subversive” books from university libraries.

“We demand De Vera’s resignation from his position which he undeservedly occupies! We demand the abolishment and defunding of NTF-ELCAC as it continues to terrorize educational institutions and undermine academic freedom, and instead realign its budget to the education sector for Ligtas na Balik-Eskwela!” the group said, referring to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

De Vera earlier told UP officials to respect the decision of other universities to remove from their libraries books donated by the National Democratic Front.

“R4E stands in disgust over chairman De Vera’s misrepresentation of our country’s higher education by bending the rule of law to justify the State’s continuous effort to censor knowledge in universities and higher education institutions,” the group said.

“He has let himself become a mere lapdog and mouthpiece of State fascism through NTF- ELCAC and its regional counterparts instead of defending the integrity of higher education which faces significant budget cuts for 2022 in light of continuous uproar of students for the safe reopening of schools which will require funds to fulfill,” R4E added.