University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) students condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bomb Squad Unit elements for illegally entering the university on November 8.

Their entry coincided with a gathering of youth leaders from various parts of Luzon at UNC, called the Coalition Xchange Program. The program included discussions on important topics such as Flood Control Projects and the Anti-Red Tagging Ordinance of Naga City. Jovenes Anakbayan Naga City was an official partner of the gathering.

Two armed police officers were already visibly present inside the UNC Sports Palace before the discussion began. They attempted to collect the participants’ names. They photographed attendees while Angela Averilla of Kilusang Bikol Laban sa Korapsyon (Bicol Movement Against Corruption) was speaking.

The police refused to identify themselves when students confronted them. They only said their visit was “approved” by the UNC Administration, which the administration denied. Others had the pretext of conducting an inspection for an incoming typhoon and that city mayor Leni Robredo was expected to arrive. In the students’ investigation, the police group came from Station 1 of the Naga City Police Office.

“It is shameful that while I proudly say Naga City is the first city in the Philippines to pass an Anti-Red-Tagging Ordinance, the Naga City police are lurking and surveilling on delegates,” Averilla said. An anti-red-tagging policy was being discussed but she was ironically surrounded by elements intimidating the youth and activists.

The Democrat, the official publication of UNC, along with the UNC University Student Government, Ateneo De Naga University (ADNU) Media Studies Society, The Pillars (the official publication of ADNU), and Jovenes Anakbayan Naga City also denounced the police intervention.

“The PNP’s actions violated the rights of our guests to work in an environment free from fear and intimidation,” The Democrat said.

“We urge the PNP to give a clear explanation for the conduct of its personnel,” it added. “They must take decisive steps to prevent such intrusions from recurring.” University students are investigating the incident.