THE MAKABAYAN bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a measure that seeks to institutionalize the agreement between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense that was terminated by the latter.

The measure filed by Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Partylist Arlene Brosas and Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Culiamat seeks to amend Republic Act 9500 or the UP Charter of 2008.

They said that the termination of the accord will allow soldiers and policemen to enter the premises of the country’s premier university, potentially sowing fear and establishing a chilling effect on students and faculty, especially those who voice out their dissent.

“It shall be remembered that the Accord was entered into as a result of the arrest of a staffer of the Philippine Collegian, by the military and police at Vinzons Hall,” the bloc said.

The group believed that the abrogation of the agreement will compromise the security of UP students, faculty, and staff.

“Instead of being terminated, the protection of these Accords should be extended to all academic institutions in the country. Schools, colleges and universities all around the Philippines should be safe spaces and places where critical thinking and independent thought are given utmost priority, and where students and faculty alike should be given the ability to freely discuss ideas without any fear of persecution,” it added.