The Commission on Human Rights on Friday took a swipe at government proposal to increase military and police presence in the university and school campuses as one of the interventions to prevent the recruitment of students by political organizations.
In a statement, lawyer-spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said while it is the police and military’s mandate to maintain peace and security, the commission upholds that safety policies within school campuses must be in close coordination and consultation with the university administrators.
“It should be in accordance with the law and other agreements between security forces and academic institutions,” she said.
“These measures must guarantee the utmost protection of civil and political liberties of all individuals concerned and must be observed in all circumstances,” she added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said the entry of the military and police officers in schools to counter alleged leftist recruitment would not lead to militarization and curtail academic freedom.