THE Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) has strongly condemned the harassment and red-tagging of its student publication following its support for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement on March 12, 2025, AdDU President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic freedom and democratic engagement while denouncing intimidation.
"At Ateneo de Davao University, we uphold student press freedom as a fundamental pillar of academic discourse and democratic engagement. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to engage in respectful and ethical dialogue," San Juan stated.
He said that while AdDU fosters critical thinking and fearless journalism, bullying, and harassment have no place in an institution dedicated to truth and justice.
"Student journalism shapes informed discourse and challenges injustices, and we will always defend the right to a free and safe press. At the same time, student publications operate with editorial independence, and the views they express are their own, not necessarily those of the university," he said.
San Juan recognized that while difficult conversations may be uncomfortable, they are crucial for growth and understanding. He urged the community to engage in discourse with wisdom, courage, and compassion.
"We remain steadfast in our mission—to form leaders who think critically, question boldly, and serve with compassion," he added.
Support for Duterte's arrest
The statement followed the arrest of Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11, 2025, for alleged crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.
On the same day, the Ateneo Publications Alliance—comprising Atenews, The BEACON, The Crusader, The GUIDON, and The PILLARS—expressed support for the arrest, calling it a long-overdue step toward justice.
The alliance asserted that the ICC warrant for "murder as a crime against humanity" was lawful and executed by the Philippines’ prosecutor general after Interpol Manila received the document. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before then.
They also criticized Duterte’s broader legacy, including the suppression of press freedom and the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law in 2020, which they claim intensified violence against journalists and activists.
The alliance warned against using Duterte’s arrest for political gain amid tensions between the Marcos and Duterte families and the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
They said that Duterte's arrest should not be exploited for political gain or used to favor one corrupt administration over another. Both Duterte and Marcos must be held accountable for human rights violations.
The alliance urged the Philippine government to cooperate with the ICC and ensure due process while calling on media organizations to continue exposing human rights abuses.
"Former President Duterte’s arrest is a step forward in holding those responsible for the deaths of thousands of Filipinos. However, this is just the beginning of a long fight for justice. We must continue to remember the innocent lives lost and hold accountable those who perpetuated impunity," the alliance concluded.
Ateneo de Davao University reaffirmed its commitment to supporting student journalists and safeguarding their right to free expression in the pursuit of truth and justice.
Backlash
The statement drew backlash from Duterte’s supporters.
Social media personality and Duterte supporter Tio Moreno criticized Atenews for its statement, accusing the student publication of misrepresenting the views of the university's alumni.
In a social media post, Moreno expressed disappointment, claiming Atenews misled readers by using the term "we" in its statement. He also accused the publication of lacking proper research and balanced analysis.
"Once again, do not use ADDU for clout—you do not represent the institution. Your actions reveal bias, not journalism," Moreno said.
He further alleged that Atenews' stance stemmed from personal hatred toward the Duterte family and accused some of its members of bullying a junior student for supporting Duterte.
Several AdDU alumni also voiced their frustration over the publication’s statement.
In a series of social media comments, one alumna accused Atenews of pushing a political agenda and insisted that it does not represent the entire "Never use this publication for your interest. This is supposed to be a platform for unbiased information. You are insinuating division in the community. You don't represent all of us," one alumna said.
Another former student expressed embarrassment, saying,
Another former student expressed shame, saying, "I feel ashamed as a former Atenean. You are a pseudo-school publication once you allow your political view to become one-sided. Better stop your nonsense."
Some alumni defended Duterte’s administration, crediting him for peace and safety in Davao City.
"You live in a safe Davao because of Duterte. You never experienced what we went through growing up. You are clueless," another alumna wrote.
Others called for formal action against Atenews. One graduate revealed plans to file a complaint with the Ateneo Student Affairs Office and urged fellow alumni to do the same.
As of this writing, Atenews has yet to respond to the backlash. RGL