Mapua students walk out to protest corruption
Mapuans gather along Muralla St., Intramuros in protest against corruption on Wednesday. Photo from Kabataan Partylist/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Students from Mapua University – Intramuros held an academic walkout on Wednesday afternoon in protest against corruption.
Following the walkout, students wearing black gathered along Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila, in front of the Yuchengco Innovation Center chanting their demands in relation to the alleged misuse of government funds.
Members of youth and progressive groups, Kabataan Partylist, Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, Agham Youth, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan Mapua, and National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) were also in attendance during the protest.
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“Corruption has no place in our university and the nation we plan to build. We cannot just stand by and watch as corruption takes root within the very institution that molds the builders of this nation,” the NUSP said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chair Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño commended the walkout in Mapua through a social media post, highlighting that “It’s rare for Mapua students to protest. The youth’s frustration with corruption is truly different.”
Several universities have held snake rallies, lightning rallies, and academic walkouts against corruption.
These universities include University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University – Manila, Philippine Normal University, University of the Philippines Diliman, UP Baguio, UP Mindanao, UP Los Baños, University of the East, De La Salle University – Manila and Laguna, College of St. Benilde, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, Bulacan State University, Cavite State University, and Tarlac State University.
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Youth groups are also set to hold a protest action against corruption on October 17, in a march to Mendiola, Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot announced on Monday. /jpv
