STUDENT activists from the University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Carlos, Cebu Normal University, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and Southwestern University marched to Fuente Osmeña on March 17, 2025, staging a walkout to protest budget cuts in state universities, tuition hikes in private institutions, and campus repression.
Organized by Anakbayan and Kabataan Partylist, the demonstration commemorated the First Quarter Storm -- a historic series of student protests against the Marcos Sr. dictatorship -- while also highlighting concerns over administrative censorship, the defunding of student organizations, and restrictive school policies.
The protest gained momentum following the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which activists argue symbolizes the broader struggle against state repression.
Kabataan Partylist second nominee Paolo Echavez underscored this point, saying: “Nagkahiusa ang mga kabatan-onan dire sa Sugbo nga dapat si Duterte i-jail kay daghan kaayo siyag sala sa mga kabataan, especially sa kadtong iyang drug war. Daghan kayo siyag nabiktima -- over 150 ang youth ang gipatay.”
Protestors emphasized the increasing threat to students' rights to organize and express themselves, citing specific university policies and actions that they believe stifle free speech and activism. (Glenn Tan and Cian Napalit, BiPSU Communication interns)