The chairperson of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman student council now faces the Marcos regime’s harassment after the council’s active leadership and participation in the widespread walkout and protest movement against corruption. Student leader Joaquin Buenaflor received a subpoena from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on October 22.

Buenaflor is the fourth student leader receiving a police subpoena for an “investigation” regarding participation in protest actions. Three police officers reportedly went to Buenaflor’s house to deliver the subpoena.

Buenaflor was not at home when the police visited his home, and his uncle refused to accept the document. The police allegedly threatened to arrest Buenaflor if he failed to appear and cooperate with the “investigation.”

Condemnation swiftly surged from student councils, institutions, and other groups against the Marcos regime’s attack on Buenaflor. The UP Diliman University Student Council called: “Hands off Joaquin Buenaflor!”

According to the council, “this PNP tactic clearly seeks to intimidate and harass youth who act against corruption and the ruling class the police serve.” They added that police act swiftly to seize and suppress protesting youth but no corrupt official has yet been held accountable.

Student councils, organizations, and students of UP Diliman first ignited the nationwide walkout movement when they organized a demonstration of 5,000 individuals on campus on September 12. Since then, student pickets, activities, and expressions against corruption have continued on campus.

The campus also popularized the now widespread chant “Ikulong na yan, mga kurakot!” (Jail now the corrupt ones!) resounding in games, concerts, and competitions across the country.

Around 2,500 individuals in UP Diliman again walked out on October 17 as part of the National Youth Day of Action Against Corruption. They also marched with 5,000 youth and students in Mendiola, Manila on the same day.

“Marcos Jr and his cronies err for thinking they can silence the people’s struggle through intimidation and violence,” the UP Office of the Student Regent (OSR) stated. The UP OSR added that this only drives students to further militantly fight until someone is held accountable and the rotten system is changed.

This was also the statement of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), one of the groups that led the mobilization of councils and youth against the US-Marcos Sr. dictatorship. “We will continue to turn our anger into collective and militant action, until we reach the victory of having a free and just society,” the group declared.