THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) called on the University of the Philippines (UP) to review and rationalize its security and safety policies after one of its female students was sexually assaulted in its Diliman campus.

The assault took place along Ylanan Street at 11 p.m. on July 1. The student is undergoing medical care. The assailant has yet to be identified.

UP Diliman has a sprawling campus in Quezon City that is open to the public. 

CHED chair Prospero De Vera condemned the assault and said it should jolt the university into taking another look at its security measures. 

“This despicable criminal act is a wake up call for the University of the Philippines to review and rationalize its security and safety policies, including its operational engagement with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, in order to make the UP Community safe and secure,” De Vera said on Monday. 

In 2021, the Department of National Defense terminated its accord with UP that required prior notification before police and military forces could conduct operations in the campuses of the state university. 

De Vera said UP should coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and allow it to lead the investigation and conduct possible pursuit operations. The school should tap the expertise of the PNP to “identify, track and apprehend all those responsible” for the crime, he said. 

Schools must be kept safe, he stressed. 

“Higher education institutions must remain as safe spaces for their students. I encourage anyone and everyone who has any information regarding the incident to report to the authorities to aid in the investigation. The University must spare nothing to ensure that justice is obtained for the victim and her family,” he said. 

De Vera likewise instructed the UP president and UPD Chancellor to ensure that all possible assistance would be given to the student and her family. 

“I share with the entire UP community our full support for her and her family in overcoming this difficult traumatic hurdle in their lives and in the longer process of healing,” he said. 

UP statement

The UPD Office of the Chancellor said on Sunday that it has been working with the police to catch the person responsible for the assault.

It has also been coordinating with the student to provide her with all the necessary assistance. 

At the same time, it said it has deployed more roving security personnel and UPD police officers around the campus, especially after office hours. 

“Everyone is reminded to stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to the [UP Diliman Police],” it said.