Jonathan Frederic De Santos

UP student leaders Dexter Clemente, Joaquin Buenaflor and Mattheo Wovi Villanueva hold a press conference at UP Diliman on Oct. 23, 2025. UP Diliman University Student Council livestream

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police should go after corrupt officials instead of visiting students&#x27; homes and serving them subpoenas for attending the massive protests against corruption in flood-control projects on September 21, campus leaders of UP Diliman said Thursday.</p><p>University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor, a political science student, told a press conference on campus that he is the fourth youth leader issued a subpoena for joining the protest last month.</p><p>Police have also summoned Polytechnic University of the Philippines student council president Tiffany Brillante and campus journalist Jacob Baluyot.</p><p>&quot;Napakabilis kumilos ng PNP pagdating sa paggipit sa aming mga kabataan, pero pagdating sa mga dambuhalang magnanakaw sa ating bayan, ang PNP ay tila bingi-bingihan, nagbubulag-bulagan, patuloy na nanahimik,&quot; Buenaflor said.</p><p>(The PNP is quick to act to silence the youth but when it comes to big-time thieves of public funds, they pretend to not hear or see anything, they just stay silent)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/28/wrap-dozens-still-in-detention-a-week-since-massive-anti-corruption-protests-2100"><strong>WRAP: Dozens still in detention a week since massive anti-corruption protests</strong></a></div><p>Buenaflor said police failed to serve the subpoena because his relatives had refused to receive and sign the document.</p><p>He also said the government was being &quot;delulu&quot; or delusional in thinking &quot;a simple paper or subpoena&quot; would frighten the youth from joining protests against widespread corruption that congressional hearings have uncovered.</p><p>&quot;PNP, doon po kayo mag-angas sa mga mandarambong,&quot; he said, later noting that no contractor or lawmaker has yet been arrested over the flood-control controversy. </p><p>&quot;Doon kayo sa bahay ng mga kurakot pumunta.&quot;</p><p>(It would be better for the PNP to show plunderers how tough they are. They should go to the homes of the corrupt)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/22/ici-to-livestream-probe-after-transparency-calls-1439"><strong>ICI to livestream flood control probe after transparency calls</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>LAWYER: CIDG CAN ISSUE SUBPOENA BUT PEOPLE CAN REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EBCortez1967">In a Facebook post</a> discussing the subpoena issued to Buenaflor, National Union of People&#x27;s Lawyers president Ephraim Cortez acknowledged that Republic Act No. 10973 authorizes the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to issue subpoenas, subjects of these summonses have no obligation &quot;to explain yourself to the CIDG.&quot; </p><p>He said subjects of subpoenas have the right to refuse to participate in CIDG proceedings outright.</p><p>Those summoned are presumed innocent and are covered by constitutional protection against self-incrimination and have the right to remain silent as well as the right to be assisted by counsel.</p><p>&quot;The subpoena powers of the PNP cannot be used to harass, intimidate or threaten anybody to prevent them from exercising their right to free expression, peaceful assembly and redress of grievances,&quot; he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/pup-campus-journalist-declines-cidg-subpoena-over-mendiola-protest-1708"><strong>PUP campus journalist declines CIDG subpoena over Mendiola protest<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHY CIDG ISSUED SUBPOENAS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The CIDG issued its subpoenas as part of an investigation into violence in Mendiola and nearby streets at the end of the September 21 protests which saw police use tear gas, water cannons and sonic weapons against protesters, passersby and supposed rioters.</p><p>Police arrested nearly 200 people that day, including UP student Mattheo Wovi Villanueva of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.</p><p>Speaking on Thursday, Villanueva said police in riot gear beat him and others &quot;for almost three hours&quot; while cramped together inside a tent on Mendiola.</p><p>The Manila Police District has rejected allegations of abuse, saying they had provided detainees food and medicine.</p><p>Villanueva said he would still join protests despite what happened as he told students: &quot;Wag kayo matakot; magalit kayo.&quot;</p><p>(Don&#x27;t be afraid; be angry.)</p><p>UP Student Regent Dexter Clemente, at the same press conference, said his office &quot;strongly condemns the state-backed attack&quot; against Buenaflor, which he said is part of an &quot;attempt to silence the youth and criminalize our democratic rights.&quot;</p><p>He said protesting is not a crime and that if government officials and the police &quot;are truly searching for criminals, wag na sila lumayo, tumingin sila sa kanilang sariling bakod.&quot;</p><p>(They do not have to go far, they just need to look in their own backyards)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/19/barzaga-s-antics-distract-from-anti-corruption-campaign-protest-leaders-say-2230"><strong>Barzaga’s antics distract from anti-corruption campaigns, protest leaders say</strong></a></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police should go after corrupt officials instead of visiting students' homes and serving them subpoenas for attending the massive protests against corruption in flood-control projects on September 21, campus leaders of UP Diliman said Thursday.</p>

The Philippine National Police should go after corrupt officials instead of visiting students' homes and serving them subpoenas for attending the massive protests against corruption in flood-control projects on September 21, campus leaders of UP Diliman said Thursday.

UP student leaders: PNP quick to go after youth, slow against corrupt execs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

UP student leaders: PNP quick to go after youth, slow against corrupt execs

Jonathan de Santos,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 23, 2025 03:24 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 23, 2025 05:50 PM PHT

Read More:

University of the Philippines

UP Diliman

Philippine National Police

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.