UP head ‘deeply regrets’ pain caused by presence at Imee’s KB reunion

University of the Philippines (UP) president Danilo Concepcion

University of the Philippines (UP) president Danilo Concepcion “deeply regrets the pain” that his attendance at the Kabataang Barangay (KB) reunion – a gathering of supporters of the Marcoses – caused the UP community.

Amid criticism from students, alumni, and human rights advocates, Concepcion issued his apology over his appearance at the August 25 event with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, eldest daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

“I deeply regret the pain my appearance at the Kabataang Barangay reunion in UP Diliman last August 25 caused the UP community. I intended no offense, most especially to the UP community that I serve,” Concepcion said in a statement on Wednesday.

The UP president cited human frailty and his desire to meet old-time friends to justify his attendance to the KB reunion.

“My desire to be with old-time friends I had not seen for decades, no matter how briefly, made me overlook its effect on the sentiments of the UP community. Tao lang po!” Concepcion said.

He then assured the UP community that the University under his watch “will never forget the dark period of our country during the martial law years and will continuously hold in high esteem the University’s best and brightest who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedom and democracy.”   /kga