A group of concerned alumnae of St. Scholastica鈥檚 College (SSC) in Manila has defended students, parents, and the school leadership from accusations of child abuse for joining protests against the clandestine burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).
In a letter signed by 1,000 Scholasticans, graduates of all-girls Catholic school, denied rumors that students were forced to protest 鈥渢o advance a political agenda.鈥� The false reports shared by Marcos supporters circulated online after SSC students held a noise barrage last Friday in protest of the former president鈥檚 secrecy-shrouded interment at the heroes鈥� cemetery.
READ: LOOK: Marcos burial protests erupt in different parts of Metro
Citing the right to free expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, the alumnae said students鈥� participation in the protest was not child abuse.
鈥淲e are greatly concerned over the proliferation of false reports that have triggered cyberbullying attacks against young Scholasticans. We urge netizens to be vigilant and cautious of this negative propaganda,鈥� the letter read.
鈥淲e take serious exception to the accusation that the active social participation of children is a form of child abuse. Contrary to that claim, the Philippine Constitution 鈥榬ecognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.鈥� The UN Convention on the Rights of Children also states that 鈥榗hildren have the basic right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds,鈥欌�� it added.
The group said those perpetrating attacks and online threats against the students are the ones committing child abuse and cyberbullying. 鈥淲e have taken note of the identity of these individuals and are considering the best possible legal remedies to protect these children and their rights,鈥� they said.
The SSC alumnae noted that Scholasticans had been 鈥渁t the forefront of protest action鈥� since the early 1980s, adding that their alma mater provides 鈥渁 safe place for students to learn and understand social and political issues within and outside of the confines of the classroom.鈥�
鈥淭he institution builds foundations of equity, inclusion, and social justice at a young age. It is a space where students can grow into critically aware, socially responsible, and self-fulfilled women of character and integrity,鈥� they said. 鈥淲e have faith that the younger Scholasticans will benefit from the holistic education that the school continues to provide. Generations of Scholasticans have made a firm stand to uphold social justice鈥� It has kept its mission burning.鈥�
鈥淭he school has taken a stand against many political issues and students have used their voice to support many causes: the displacement of indigenous peoples, the protection of the environment, and the rights of women and children, among others. It firmly believes in education for justice,鈥� the statement added.
The group urged the public to respect the opinion of others and avoid 鈥減ersonal and unwarranted attacks.鈥�
鈥淲e are proud graduates of our alma mater. We will fight to ensure that many more generations of Scholasticans can stand up for a just society鈥攆ree from oppression, abuse, and discrimination鈥� We all want the best for the younger generation. Thus, it is our shared duty as Filipinos to protect our nation鈥檚 children,鈥� the alumnae said.
Marcos鈥� burial at the LNMB last Friday took the nation by surprise and sparked protests throughout the country. The burial, which saw full military honors including a 21-gun salute for the late dictator, came almost 30 years after he was ousted in the historic Edsa People Power Revolution. RAM