by VICENTE MORANO III
Update (January 27, 2021): The 2016 staffers of the Perspective sought a comment regarding the matter from the university administration, but was said to have not received any responses. The original writer of the article mentioned that it was only around 5 PM as of that press time when the detail regarding the Emperor and Empress’ arrival was made public.
UPLB, Laguna — Forces from the Philippine National Police (PNP) formed barricades at several entry points going to the Freedom Park, preventing students from accessing their dormitories and the Student Union Building (SU).
One of the barricades was positioned on the Palma Bridge at around 3:00 p.m. The barricade, which was supposed to only last for thirty minutes, blocked the way of around 100-200 university constituents.
Together with the PNP, officers from the University Police Force (UPF) and Community Support Brigade (CSB) guarded the bridge. The students exclaimed their clamour, saying that they just want to pass by the bridge to go to their dormitories or transact at the Student Loan Board (SLB) located at the SU. Members of the CSB and UPF denied the request as an “activity” was happening at the Freedom Park.
The Perspective inquired as to why the students were disallowed to enter the premises to which one officer replied, “Antayin nyo na lang mamaya. Thirty minutes lang naman ‘to.” (Just wait for it later. This [barricade] will be for 30 minutes only.)
Prof. Genaro Cuaresma, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, who arrived at the barricade around 45 minutes later, said nothing about it.
At 4:00 p.m., the University Student Council (USC) through Yvann Zuñiga, was able to convince the forces to allow the students pass through the barricade. It was with a condition that the students submit through security inspection.
Zuñiga expressed his dismay with what happened. He said that the OVCCA considers all the people in and around the campus a security risk.
He also said that the barricades around the campus were not coordinated to the student institutions.
“Actually, this is different from the protocol of the last administration, ‘yung panahon ni Chancellor Cruz, whenever there is a police presence inside the campus, even ‘yung rerouting of the jeepneys ay kino-coordinate with the student councils so that they can inform and voice out for the students if ever nakakaabala ang mga ito. Ngayon, wala talaga.
The Perspective conducted a prior data gathering from the Office of the Chancellor and the OVCCA. Both offices refused to answer questions regarding the activity as it was deemed confidential.
Later today, it was confirmed that a helicopter landed at the university carrying the Japanese Emperor and Empress. Reasons for why they went to the university has not yet been confirmed as of press time. [P]
UPLB Perspective 
Um fact finding please… https://www.facebook.com/IRRI.ricenews/photos/a.450798626877.247879.342074396877/10153786157446878/?type=3
UPLB [P], please verify these claims:
1) “Actually, this is different from the protocol of the last administration, ‘yung panahon ni Chancellor Cruz, whenever there is a police presence inside the campus, even ‘yung rerouting of the jeepneys ay kino-coordinate with the student councils so that they can inform and voice out for the students if ever nakakaabala ang mga ito. Ngayon, wala talaga.”
When did this rerouting ever happen where people weren’t informed? Alam ko kapag Feb Fair, Foundation Day, etc. people are always informed. The same goes for graduation. If it’s the SCs job to inform students, isn’t the inability of SCs to respond to this matter beforehand an indication of the SCs not doing their job?
2) “Later today, it was confirmed that a helicopter landed at the university carrying the Japanese Emperor and Empress. Reasons for why they went to the university has not yet been confirmed as of press time.”
The arrival of the Imperial Japanese couple to Laguna has been all over the news and IRRI has released a statement regarding their visit. Are the reasons not clear enough or does [P] have any plans of asking more questions?
3) Prof. Genaro Cuaresma, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, who arrived at the barricade around 45 minutes later, said nothing about it. At 4:00 p.m., the University Student Council (USC) through Yvann Zuñiga, was able to convince the forces to allow the students pass through the barricade. It was with a condition that the students submit through security inspection. Zuñiga expressed his dismay with what happened. He said that the OVCCA considers all the people in and around the campus a security risk.
Will you be updating the public regarding OVCCA’s statements? Isn’t it standard procedure for all security forces to consider “people in and around campus a security risk” especially when the Imperial Japanese couple can also be subject to assassination?
Feel free to verify and update.
Hello, Mr. Alejandro.
First, we are sorry to have a very late reply regarding this matter, but nonetheless, we would want to address your concern.
(I am Vicente Morano, the writer of the news.)
We have been going to the administration office numerous times but were repeatedly declined. The matter which we, the studentry and the public themselves, were not informed was about the misinformation of traffic blockage, both pedestrian and automobile.
As to the information regarding who/what is arriving/happening, it was only after around 5 p.m. that news organizations released the information. It was a news flash, press time of the news was at 4:30 p.m. (We’ll gladly update this matter)
As of today, we regret to inform you that we have not received any official statements regarding that. If you receive any official public statements, kindly send them to us.
Sincerely,
(in behalf of the UPLB Perspective)
Vicente Morano
Writer, Production Editor
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