Gabriela Solons To Push for an Inquiry Against Heightened Campus Repression

Gabriela Women's Party Secretary General Cristina Palabay today expressed alarm over the controversial suspension of four Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) students for a blog they wrote about their school administration and the closure of QCSHS' school publications, The Electron and The Banyuhay.

"The right to freedom of speech and expression must be upheld at all times. High school students expressing their sentiments and grievances through a blog, school publication, and other medium form part of this right. Indeed, it is an act of repression if they are threatened and punished from exercising this constitutional right," Palabay said.

The woman leader called the attention of the officials of the Quezon City Science High School and the Education Department to review their guidelines and policies regarding this matter. Palabay said Gabriela Women's Party Representatives Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan will be filing a resolution in Congress next week to look into such cases of campus
repression and violation of campus press freedom and student's rights and welfare nationwide.

According to Palabay, the youth and students' critical stand on issues concerning them and the society at large should be recognized and respected. "The youth's participation in nation-building is very important and we must always encourage them to take part in these issues."###