Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the assault of a student at the Marikina Polytechnic College by one of the professors. The actions of the professor were unreasonable, inhuman, and a clear abuse of his authority.
The victim, Ernie Quisora was entering the college on a day when a protest action was taking place against the administration for imposing additional working hours without consulting the teaching staff. When the security guards confiscated a black t-shirt that Quisora had in his bag he complained and when the professor sided with the guards and a dispute ensured. The two struggled during which Quisora suffered injuries. On a later occasion the professor threatened to drop Quisora from his course in full view of other teachers and students.
CASE NARRATIVE:
According to information received from Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) Ernie Quisora, (20) resides in Malina Street, Parang, and is a student of the Marikina Polytechnic College where he is majoring in Industrial Technology in Automotive studies. He is also a Student Council volunteer. On 20 December, 2013 Quisora suffered minor injuries during a scuffle between him and a college professor.
On that day at 8:30am, Quisora decided to enter the school premises while a protest action was being set-up by some members and officers of the faculty association of the College. The protest was in relation to the additional working hours imposed by the school officials on the members of the faculty, and the absence of a democratic process by which these policies went through without any consultation.
The Security guards on-duty inspected Quisora’s belongings and found a black t-shirt inside his bag. The security guards confiscated the t-shirt and told Quisora that it was prohibited inside the campus. He then asked the security guards why it was not allowed? Quisora further explained that he would be wearing the black t-shirt as a replacement after his subject, “Metallic and Solid Painting AT222”. Apparently, the security guards alleged that Quisora was one of students who advocated and backed the campaign protest of the faculty and that he would be wearing the black t-shirt as a sign of support.
While Quisora was arguing with the guards, a professor named Joseph Quiles approached them. Quisora told him what the security guards had done and added that they had no right to confiscate his t-shirt since it was “wash day”, and he could wear any attire he wanted as long as it was appropriate and proper.
A heated argument then started between Quiles and Quisora during which Quiles grabbed Quisora’s shirt from his chest and shook him back and forth repeatedly. Not satisfied with what he done, Quiles then snatched and snapped the lace of Quisora’s school identification card which he was wearing around his neck. Several students and teachers witnessed the incident. Quisora suffered a bruise to his left hand and also felt pain in the nape of his neck.
A few days after the incident, Quisora encountered Quiles on several occasions. Quiles accused him of being a liar, arrogant and discourteous to school administrators. These comments were made in front of some other students. On one occasion which occurred in front of Quisora’s teacher, Quiles threatened that he would “drop” Quisora from his subject.
Quisora is now planning to file a formal complaint to the relevant government agencies, and make appropriate charges at the Marikina City prosecutor’s office. He is an advocate of student rights and welfare and an active volunteer of the Marikina Polytechnic College Student Council.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below to express concern and to demand for an investigation into Ernie Quisora’s complaint.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
PHILIPPINES: Harassment against a Student Human Rights Defender
Name of victim: Ernie Quisora
Names of alleged perpetrator: Professor Joseph Quiles
Date of incident: 20 December, 2013
Place of incident: Marikina Polytechnic College
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding an incident in which a young student, Mr. Ernie Quisora (20) was physically abused by a professor of the Marikina Polytechnic College.
I have learned that a heated argument transpired between Mr. Joseph Quiles and Quisora. Quiles grabbed Quisora’s shirt from his chest and shook him back and forth repeatedly. Not satisfied with what he done, Quiles then snatched and snapped the lace of Quisora’s school identification card which he was wearing around his neck. Several students and teachers witnessed the incident. Quisora suffered a bruise to his left hand and also felt pain in the nape of his neck.
I have learned that the incident happened on December 20, 2013, at 8:30am. Quisora decided to enter the school premises while a protest action was being set-up by some members and officers of the faculty association of the Marikina Polytechnic College. The protest was in relation to the additional working hour imposed by the school officials to the members of the faculty, and the absence of a democratic process by which these policies went through without any consultation.
It was also brought to my attention that before the incident occurred, the security guards on-duty inspected Quisora’s belongings and found a black t-shirt inside his bag. The security guards confiscated the t-shirt and told Quisora that it is prohibited inside the campus. He then asked the security guards why it is was not allowed and explained that he would be wearing the black t-shirt as a replacement after his subject “Metallic and Solid Painting AT222”. Apparently, the security guards alleged that Quisora was one of students who advocated and backed the campaign protest of the faculty and that he would be wearing the black t-shirt as a sign of support.
While both were arguing, a professor named Joseph Quiles approached them. Quisora told Quiles what the security guards did. He added that they had no right to confiscate his t-shirt since it was “wash day”, and he could wear any attire he wanted as long as it is appropriate and proper. At that point, the heated argument started. A scuffle transpired and Quisora suffered physical injuries.
At present, Quisora is now planning to file a formal complaint to concerned government agencies, and at the Marikina City prosecutor’s office for appropriate charges.
Quisora is an advocate of student rights and welfare and an active volunteer of the Marikina Polytechnic College Student Council.
Therefore, I humbly urge you to initiate a probe into the said case and appropriate action must be taken accordingly.
I look forward to you urgent action.
Respectfully yours,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan
Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
4th Floor Higher Education Development Center (HEDC) Building
C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus
Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Philippines
Fax: +632 4411256
Tel: +632 4410927 loc. 400, 401, 402
Email: ched.oc2011@gmail.com; info@ched.gov.ph
2. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com
3. Chairperson Leon G. Flores
National Youth Commission (NYC)
4th Floor, Bookman Building
373 Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +632 4487330
E-mail: info@nyc.gov.ph
4. Mayor Del De Guzman
Marikina City
Marikina City Hall, Shoe Avenue
Sta. Elena,
Marikina City 1800
Philippines
Fax: +632 6465277; +632 6461621
Tel: +632 6461634; +632 6829281; +632 6462360-70
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
