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Friday, October 15, 2004
30 college students expelled for holding rallies
By Aurea A. Gerundio
DAVAO CITY -- Thirty students of the AMA Computer College (Amacc)-Davao campus were dismissed for holding protest rallies in front of the school in October 4 and 5 without the necessary permit from an authorized school officer.
A resolution issued by the college's Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), a copy of which was obtained by Sun.Star, said holding rallies or similar activities without permission from an authorized school officer is a "major offense" that carries the corresponding penalty of dismissal.
"All students who participated in the conduct of the said incident are hereby dismissed from this school for the aforementioned violation of the school rules and regulations without prejudice to their right to appeal such decision requesting for the lifting of this dismissal order which would warrant the committee to accordingly amend its decision to strict disciplinary probation or otherwise," the tribunal states in the resolution.
The tribunal reportedly conducted investigation following a complaint filed by school facilities and maintenance supervisor Crisologo Celiz against the students who were holding rallies outside the campus.
The SDT, when it received the complaint, reportedly issued notices of investigation to the concerned students who refused to accept these.
The students staged rallies in October 4 and 5 to protest the 30-day preventive suspension imposed on four regular teachers, the implementation of a webcast system--an online mode of teaching--and unresolved issues regarding miscellaneous fees.
Erickson Guzman, one of the dismissed students and president of the college student council, admitted they did not ask for a permit from the school administration to hold a protest action.
"Mag-rally mi against sa ilaha (referring to Amacc administration) unya sa ilaha lang gihapon mi mangayo ug permit. I-allow kaya mi?" Guzman said. (We are holding protest rallies against them and we will ask them for permit? Will they allow us?)
Guzman said they will not just take the dismissal order sitting down. He said they are already discussing with their legal counsel the actions to take next.
"Karon, moduol mi kay Vice Mayor (Luis) Bonguyan because we would like to ask for a permit to hold rallies outside the campus. Dili naman mi hatagan ug permit didto sa City Hall," Guzman said. (We will approach the vice mayor to ask for a permit. They will not give us any at City Hall.)
Guzman rebuked Business Bureau chief Erwin Alparaque for denying their request for a permit to conduct a peaceful demonstration.
But Alparaque explained why he denied the students' request for a permit to rally.
"During their first rally, we issued a permit that is good for four days. On the first day, it was really a peaceful demonstration. But on the following day, we received a complaint from the school administration na magulo na raw ang mga nagrarally (that the rallyists were creating trouble)," Alparaque said.
Alparaque dismissed insinuations that he is biased against the students.
"I understand their plight. In fact, I even advised them to consult a lawyer lalo pa ngayon na may mga na-dismiss pala sa kanila (especially now that they are to be dismissed) from school," Alparaque said.
Other students ordered expelled include John Angelo Alcid, Emman Ryan Alfeche, Liza Andig, Ian Fritz Aquino, Neil Bryan Barandog, Ronald Bedrejo, Norelie Cabastante, Grelyn Capote, Evan King Chua, Kent de Leon, Armando Delino Jr., Felino Diel Jr., Donna Belle Duque, Oliver Feliciano, Zeus Gabero, Rachel Grijado, Genghis Khan Manero, Aljay Marayan, McRobert Nacario, Girlie Navales, Christopher Pedrano, Boots Porroas, Melody Ramon, Benjie Sanchez, Christian Sequiña, Joepet Somosot, James Sumalinog, Mac Arhel Tibug and April Wong.
(October 15, 2004 issue)
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