Tagging of schools in ‘Red October’ plot ‘not a cause of worry’ – Roque

The military’s claim that some Metro Manila colleges and universities are being used as recruitment grounds by communists is “not a cause of worry,” Malacañang said Thursday.

“Let’s face it. They are recruiting, it’s not a cause of worry; it’s just a statement of fact but we have no doubts that none of the schools are openly supportive of such initiatives,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Roque added that it was just an “intelligence report of the AFP” and that was part of their duty.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. earlier claimed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has already infiltrated 18 schools, including top schools such as the University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, and De La Salle University.

The schools are allegedly being used to recruit and encourage students to join the communist group. The alleged recruitment of students by CPP was reportedly part of the so-called “Red October” ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Roque, this “hardly surprises” him, adding that the recruitment is being done in a secretive manner.

Duterte’s official mouthpiece also allayed fears that red-tagging schools may embolden the military to suppress basic constitutional rights of students.

“Dalawang taon na po ang Presidente wala naman pong pinapaarestong kahit sinong estudyante pa ‘no. So pabayaan n’yo po sila, ang Presidente nga po napakataas ng tolerance sa freedom of expression,” he said.

Roque assured there was no order to curtail academic freedom and freedom of expression.  /kga