USC statement on the death of Cris Mendez

HUSTISYA PARA KAY CRIS!

Ang buong Konseho ng Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Diliman ay nagluluksa sa pagkamatay ng aming kasamahang si Cris Anthony Mendez, Kinatawan ng Pambansang Dalubhasaan ng Pamahalaang Pambayan.

Ang pagkamatay ng isang mahusay na lider tulad ni Cris ay hindi inaasahan. Lalo pa at isa itong manipestasyon ng walang kabuluhang karahasang patuloy na dumadaloy sa sistema ng Unibersidad.

Ang pagbuwis ng buhay ng aming kasama ay magsilbi sanang tuldok sa baluktot na patakaran at halang na karahasan sa loob ng Unibersidad.

Hindi hahayaan ng Konsehong ito na mabalewala ang sakripisyong ginawa ni Cris at manaig ang karahasan sa loob ng Unibersidad. Sisiguraduhin ng Konseho na mananagot ang mga may sala at mabibigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng aming kasama. Hindi kailanman matatakpan ng karangyaan, kapangyarihan, o kayamanan ang hustisyang dapat makamit ni Cris at ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. Isang hamon ito sa bawat Iskolar ng Bayan na maging susi sa pagkamit ng hustisya.

Bilang isang Konsehong nagtataguyod ng mga karapatan ng mga mag-aaral, nanawagan kami sa lahat ng mga isko at iska na supilin ang ganitong klase ng karahasan. Nawa’y magsilbing hamon ito sa bawat Iskolar ng Bayan na balikan ang oryentasyon ng pagtatag ng ating mga organisasyon: Ang paglilingkod sa kapwa at bayan, hindi karahasan!

Kasama ng pamilya at kaibigan ni Cris, nananawagan kami ng hustisya at kaparusahan para sa lahat ng may sala.

IKONDENA ang KARAHASAN!

HUSTISYA PARA KAY CRIS!

University Student Council

UP Diliman

31 August 2007

For any information that could obtain justice for Cris Mendez, please contact Ms. Shahana Abdulwahid, USC Chair – 0927 568 8418. Lawyers are available to ensure your protection.

SESC statement on the death of Cris Mendez

THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE MUST STOP

The UP School of Economics Student Council (SESC) grieves with the entire community for the loss of Cris Anthony Mendez of the National College of Public Administration and Governance in a reported hazing incident last August 27. We pray that courage and strength be granted to his loved ones in this difficult time.

SESC strongly condemns the brutal and senseless death of our fellow student leader and support the ongoing investigation being conducted by the UP Administration.

It is against the use of violence as a requirement for admission into any organization. This barbaric practice has destroyed the lives of many students and has ultimately led to the death of some. It has spawned a culture of violence that should have no place in an academic institution such as the University of the Philippines.

Let Cris’ brutal death mark the end of such practice. The culture of violence must stop. We demand that justice be served at the soonest possible time and that those responsible for his death are made to suffer the consequences.

We therefore appeal to the entire UP community to commit ourselves in transforming the culture of violence that continues to exist in the university into a more peaceful and productive environment that guarantees the safety and welfare of all.

END THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE!

JUSTICE FOR CRIS!