The Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) strongly denounces the issuance of subpoenas to Joaquin “Waks” Buenaflor, Chairperson of the UP Diliman University Student Council, and other student leaders who bravely stood against corruption and asserting accountability. “This latest act of harassment exposes the Marcos Jr. regime’s increasingly authoritarian stance and repressive character. It is afraid of the organized youth and is desperate to silence legitimate dissent through persecution and intimidation“, says Liza Maza, CPDG Spokesperson.
As documented by the Philippine Collegian, student activists subpoenaed by the police have raised concerns for their safety and the ongoing suppression of their democratic rights. The state once again targets those who demand accountability for corruption and misuse of public funds—reviving the same authoritarian posture that defined Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship.
These attacks violates the Philippines’ international human rights commitments under the Universal Period Review (UPR), particularly:
• Recommendation 145.74: Guarantee a safe and enabling environment for the work of independent media and civil society organizations;
• Recommendation 145.75: Ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are respected and protected.
Instead of upholding these obligations, the Marcos Jr. administration chooses to red-tag, fabricate charges, and suppress peaceful assemblies and protest actions.
CPDG stands firmly with the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), all the youth and Filipino people in asserting their fundamental rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression and assembly.
“We call on civil society for an organized and solid support for the NUSP. We strongly call on the Philippine government to uphold its commitment to ensure that the rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression and assembly are respected and protected”, says Maza.
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