KARAPATAN: PNP subpoenas vs student leaders are blatant harassment, assault on press freedom, right to protest
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
23 October 2025
References: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN: PNP subpoenas vs student leaders are blatant harassment, assault on press freedom, right to protest
KARAPATAN strongly condemned the issuance of subpoenas by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against student leaders, activists and campus journalists who joined the September 21 anti-corruption protests in Mendiola, calling it a blatant act of harassment and an assault on basic rights.
At least four student leaders have received summons, the latest of which are Tiffany Faith Brillante, president of the Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Joaquin Buenaflor, chairperson of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The subpoena for Brillante, which was signed by CIDG Acting Director Robert Morico, posed a threat that she could face charges of indirect contempt of court if she failed to appear before the CIDG. Brillante has decried of increased surveillance and harassment in the past weeks following the September 21 protests.
On the other hand, Buenaflor, who was not in his home when his relatives refused to accept the subpoena, was told by neighbors that the police who came threatened that they will issue an arrest warrant if Buenaflor does not issue a statement to the police.
“Student leaders have all the right to refuse and reject these subpoenas, as well as assert their right not to appear or participate in these so-called investigation. We condemn the PNP for harassing and intimidating student leaders and activists. They surely look desperate for thinking that such moves will prevent our young people from going out of the streets in protest to call for accountability, while the Marcos Jr. government is letting the corrupt in and out of government off the hook,” said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay.
Aside from Brillante and Buenaflor, student leaders and campus journalists who were issued subpoenas are Jacob Baluyot, national chairperson of the Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag - PUP and associate editor of The Catalyst, student publication of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); and Aldrin Kitsune, officer of Kalayaan Kontra Korapsyon and student leader from De La Salle University College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB).
Palabay said that pressuring students to participate in these subpoena spree and so-called investigations are violations of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom, and peaceful assembly, as well as international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the Philippines is a state party.
“We call on students not to be cowed by these subpoenas, as they clearly want to suppress the just clamor of the youth and the public to hold big corrupt officials accountable, while the thieves in power remain untouched and unpunished,” said Palabay.
KARAPATAN also expressed alarm over increasing police surveillance in universities, emphasizing that schools must remain sanctuaries of critical thought and dissent. “We urge university administrations to ensure the safety of their students and uphold academic freedom,” said Palabay.
“We stand in solidarity with Baluyot, Brillante, Kitsune, Buenaflor, and all student leaders and journalists who are being harassed for standing up against corruption and tyranny,” Palabay said. “No subpoena or threat can silence the demand for truth, accountability, and justice. More protests should rattle this system that robs our youth of justice and accountability,” said Palabay.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.