The Universidad de Manila (UDM) administration is currently persecuting 16 students who joined protests against corruption in recent weeks. UDM issued a memorandum and summoned the students for their alleged violation of the UDM Student Manual.

Based on the memorandum, the Office of the Vice President for Student Success and Support Services (OVPSSSS) and the Board of Discipline summoned the parents and the said students. UDM also criticized the formation of a student organization, claiming it is not sanctioned the administration.

The local chapter Anakbayan-Merlions in UDM condemned the harassment and repression of the students. The group called the actions of UDM anomalous and violates their rights as youth and Filipinos guaranteed under the country’s constitution.

“Are those in power extremely threatened by the voice of progressive students?” the group stated. It added that UDM is silencing the students for fear that the university administration’s rottenness and incompetence will eventually be exposed.

The human rights group Defend Manila also expressed support for the 16 students. “Every Filipino has the democratic and fundamental right to unite and take collective action, especially when the nation faces a severe crisis of rampant corruption,” the group said.

On November 25, UDM students held a protest in front of the campus to denounce the university’s memorandum and repression. They timed the protest at the same day when the administration summoned the parents and students.

Led by Anakbayan-EARIST, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) students also joined the protest in solidarity. “Amid all forms of intimidation, our conviction has grown stronger that the university must remain a safe space for critical thinking—not an instrument of silencing,” Anakbayan-EARIST stated.

According to Anakbayan-Merlions, their protest demonstrated that UDM students are not daunted by the administration and are ready to face repression. The group urged fellow students to continue speaking out against the Marcos regime’s corruption and to join the upcoming people’s protest on November 30.

The group will join the protest Baha sa Luneta 2.0, which will be led by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK, or People’s Movement Against Corruption). The demonstration will be held at Luneta Park in Manila, with parallel protests nationwide. The group primarily calls to: “Hold all those involved accountable!”