PRES. DERIJE AGREES TO TAKE NEW ASSIGNMENT
The 6-month-old unrest at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato appears headed to a peaceful resolution following the personal intervention of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III.
But it took a feisty and bullheaded congressional representative, District II Cong. Nancy Catamco, to enforce the President’s wish for an immediate and peaceful ending to the problem which has bothered the almost 15,000 students of the USM and disappointed parents who feared for their children’s safety and continuing education.
The chain of events started when parents and students appealed for the resolution of the problem in the biggest state university in Southern Mindanao where protesters who were reportedly against the return of President Jesus Derije padlocked the gates and prevented students and teachers from coming in.
Rebuffed by local officials and told by the incumbent Governor herself on radio that no Governor, Congressman or Mayor could resolve the USM crisis, the parents and students started sending out messages to other political personalities.
I was in South Africa for Edrin Dapudong’s world title fight when I received my share of those distress calls for help in resolving the USM standoff.
Immediately, I forwarded the messages to the only person who I believe could finally end the problem – President Aquino.
Indeed, in less than one hour, the President responded with an assurance to “look into the problem” and in less than three days, the USM gates were opened.
It is not always that politicians from different political affiliations appreciate each others work, especially in the case of Cong. Catamco who went up against my brother, Jun, in the last elections.
But this is one of those rare times when politics have to be set aside in favor of the greater good. This also an example of giving credit where credit is due.
Through the resolute decisiveness of Cong. Catamco, who had to personally talk to MILF Commander Kineg Inalang in Lanoon, Carmen to ask him to pull out his men who had joined the protesters, the USM unrest was diffused and the gates of the school were opened last week.
Following the opening of the gates and the designation of her lawyer, Christopher Cabelin as OIC of the USM, Cong. Catamco initiated dialogues with the different groups in the university.
I was invited to attend the meeting with two groups, the faculty association and the officers of the University Student Government last Saturday.
In both meetings, the consensus was it would be “unhealthy” for the University to have Dr. Derije back as President of USM and this was clearly relayed to him.
Dr. Derije, on the other hand, for all of the accusations hurled against him may have realized that the welfare of the school and the well-being of the students were far more important that his interests as President of USM, has agreed to take a new assignment.
With Dr. Derije agreeing to take on a new assignment, the issue about his relief and dismissal from the service which was used by the protesters to disrupt the classes at USM will be finally sidelined and hopefully peace and quiet will return to my Alma Mater.
(Photo caption: Student leaders of USM in the meeting with Cong. Catamco which I attended Saturday afternoon. Photo by Joshua Casimina.)
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