Aytona, however, said that schools should restrict organizations that are ‘illegitimately’ organized as the purpose of these organizations is ‘surely contrary to public policy.’

Geraldine Aguelo, vice president for the Visayas of the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP), challenged the CHED ‘not to allow itself to be used by the military in their campaign to silence the clamor of the students to exercise their democratic rights, including the right to take part in organizations and to freely express their thoughts and opinion on issues.’

According to Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command Civil Relations Group, Palang’s questionable presence in the encounter area has prompted them to focus on the CPP-NPA’s alleged infiltration activities on academic institutions. He added that the CPP-NPA would recruit intelligent students to serve as their political officers.

Lasangue revealed that the military would soon be conducting school visits within Cebu City to tell students about the recruitment activities of the CPP-NPA.

Aguelo condemned this plan of the military saying that academic institutions are venues for free exchange of ideas. “It is our basic right to express our ideas and opinions on issues, and we have the right to associate ourselves with whatever group we believe stands for what we believe in.”

“Mae-mae (Palang) represented a group of young people who values their freedom to speak their minds,” she said. “To make her death a reason for institutions to curtail the rights of students would be like killing her the second time. We value the memory of Mae-mae. She is a hero who placed the interest of other people first before her own,” Aguelo added.

CHED’s Aytona, on the other hand, said the opposition of youth organizations to the military’s plan of conducting school visits is tainted with malice. “Wala gyud ko kadungog ani nga grupo nga mopraise sa mga pulis ug military. Pirmi negative na lang ever since (I have never heard these groups praising the efforts of the military. They are always negative ever since),” Aytona said.

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