By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson stood by his earlier statement urging school administrators to be aware of student activities on campus amid mounting criticism from youth organizations and rights advocates who warned against possible surveillance and red-tagging.
Lacson clarified that his concern stemmed from reports allegedly indicating that recruitment activities linked to armed insurgency are taking place within educational institutions.
“I received information that recruitment is going on within the school campus,” Lacson said, adding that school administrators should not be unaware of activities involving students.
“What is wrong with school admissions knowing the activities amongst the youth?” the governor said when asked about the issue.
Pressed on whether he was referring to the alleged recruitment of rebels, Lacson responded that certain activities may eventually lead in that direction “though not immediately.”
The governor also emphasized that while he respects the views of those opposing his position, they should likewise respect differing opinions.
The controversy erupted following Lacson’s remarks after the death of Vince Francis Dingding, a former student leader of the University of the Philippines (UP) – Cebu who was among five alleged members of the New People’s Army killed in an encounter with government troops in Negros Occidental’s Cauayan town on May 16.
The incident came weeks after the April 19 armed clash in Toboso town that left 19 individuals dead, including student activists and alumni identified as Alyssa Alano of UP-Diliman, Maureen Keil Santuyo of UP-Open University, and RJ Ledesma, a graduate of the University of St. La Salle.
In response, several youth and community organizations strongly criticized the governor’s statements, arguing that heightened monitoring inside campuses could create an environment of fear among students and educators.
The groups stressed that schools and universities should remain safe spaces for free expression, critical thinking, and open dialogue, warning that increased scrutiny may expose students to profiling and persecution.
Despite the backlash, Lacson maintained that school officials have a responsibility to remain informed about developments affecting students, particularly amid ongoing security concerns in the province./CJ, WDJ