By Gabriela Baron
A University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Professor and former President of All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) was arrested on Monday, Feb. 6, in her home inside the campus.
UP Professor Melania Flores was arrested for an alleged violation of Social Security System (SSS) remittance of her household helper.
The arrest warrant was issued last Sept. 6, 2022 by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 230 Judge Hon. Maria Gilda Loja-Pangilinan.
Flores was initially taken to Camp Caringal but was since released.
‘Brazen disregard’ of accord
In a statement released Tuesday, Feb. 7, UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo cited the violation of the UP-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the arrest of Flores.
“[Her] arrest was a brazen disregard of the 1992 Agreement between UP and DILG, which we strongly condemn,” Nemenzo said.
The agreement, signed in 1992, prohibits state forces from entering the university premises without prior notice to the University administration.
Nemenzo said “none” of the protocols and procedures were followed when Flores was arrested on campus.
“Not only was notice not given, the police posed as civilians to effect the arrest. Because no notice was given, no faculty members were designated as witnesses,” he added.
Nemenzo assured that UP Diliman will be taking the necessary steps to address the violation with the appropriate authorities.
“We shall continue to resist threats to our academic freedom and our institutional autonomy as we continue to defend and uphold our campus as zone of peace,” he added. -ag
