By FEU Advocate Reportorial team
An incident regarding an alleged attack of a security guard against a professor triggered a rally of students and faculty in protest of a claimed “Martial Law”.
FEU Faculty Association (FEUFA) President and Department of Communication Theater and Film Head Geofferson Ting claimed last January 9 to have been harassed by security guards.
The occurrence which was later learned by students through Ting’s Facebook post last January 9, entitled “Martial Law”, resulted to a silent protest campaign of black and red ribbons supported by students and faculty.
In his note, he questioned the issuing of directives from officials, violation of policies and the new security measures. He also mentioned that even days after January 9, Admin has not issued a memo.
Sparked by the silent ribbon campaign, an open letter against campus oppression and tuition increase titled “Defy Martial Law!” was distributed by Anakbayan last January 15 simultaneous with the posting of posters urging to stop campus repression. The letter discussed series of harassments involving Ting and the on-going Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Manggagawang Pilipino (KAMPI), Society for Homosexual Emergence/Sigma Homo Epsilon (SHE), FEU Outdoors, Sandugo Fraternity Alliance and Alyansa ng Piyu handed out flyers last January 16 titled “Martial Law sa FEU Kondenahin!” calling for students and other organizations to be united in reproving “Martial Law”.
Students and different youth political parties assembled last January 20 against tuition hike and campus repression. Anakbayan and Kabataan Party List gathered students for the rally in FEU Plaza. Students lead by party list leaders headed to the different spots in the University: Administration Building, Tayuman, grandstand and Gate 4.
“Does it mean that FEU tolerates this kind of security? Are they just ignoring it because they think that this is not a major issue? It is. It is because whether I like or not, I’m a political person because I have a position to protect here in the campus,” Ting stated.
Ting speaks up
In an interview with the FEU Advocate, Ting detailed the incidents that happened on January 9.
At around 7:00 a.m., Ting tried to enter the University for the open parking. According to him, instead of opening the driveway, the guards did not lift the steel bars and restrained him from entering.
Before leaving his car, Ting posted a note saying, “AKO PO ANG FACULTY UNION PRESIDENT NG FEU NGUNIT LANTARAN ANG PAMBABASTOS NG ADMINISTRASYONG ECHAUZ!! AKO SI JOEY TING, HANDANG IALAY ANG BUHAY SA MGA FACULTY AT STUDENTS NG FEU”.
“I’m the type of president who would air, who would demonstrate visually my grievance. That’s my right. For as long as wala akong sinasaktan, wala akong hinahawakan physically, walang problema (For as long as I am not hurting anyone physically, there is no problem),” Ting stated in an interview.
Ting further pointed that the guards said they did not know who he was “How can you not identify the officials if you are working under a security agency? Eh protocol daw ‘yan sa lahat ng (to all) security, to know the organizational chart of this company.”
According to Ting, after he locked his car blocking the driveway, the guards dragged him to the corner and threatened him. He quoted that the guard said “’Wag kang mag-eskandalo dito, p— i— mo! Hindi mo ba ako kilala?”
He described the guards like military men. Ting claimed that as the guards were trying to get his car keys from him, they kicked him in his right leg and one of the guards was about to get his gun but the other guard stopped him.
Seconds after, Ting said that “troops” of security guards came. He then named Chief Security Officer Verlando Miguel and security Leonardo Banaag, Jr. as the guards involved in the stated incident.
Ting stated that due to his refusal to give up his keys, the guards decided to let him go. He then went straight to his 7:30-10:30 a.m. class.
One of Ting’s students, Alyssa Louise Rodillion, third year Mass Communication student, confirmed to have witnessed the encounter.
She recalled entering Gate 4 and seeing Ting with the guards. “Binagalan ko lang ‘yung lakad ko tapos patingin-tingin ako kay Sir Joey. Maya-maya, naririning ko na siya sumisigaw na parang ‘Nasasaktan ako! Bakit niyo ako sinasaktan?’ (I walked slowly then I looked at Sir Joey [Ting]. Later on, I heard him saying ‘You are hurting me! Why are you doing this?’),” Rodillion narrated.
Ting found that his car was towed after his 9:30 a.m. class. He recalled going to University Belt Area (UBA) Police Station 4 to file a police blotter but was then informed that an earlier blotter was filed.
Parking Incidents
January 2008, Ting had a record of blocking his car in the driveway of TB where he insists for his parking privilege as the union president.
January 4, Ting narrated that he got his and Budget Officer Arnie Macapagal’s car was locked in TB parking. Ting shared how Macapagal was surprised to found out about the curfew considering that he was working in the Admin.
Since they were an hour late from curfew, the guards did not allow them to get their cars. It took them an hour of argument with the guards on duty before they got their cars.
Friday, January 8, another similar incident occurred. Ting’s rehearsals with Art Theater Clinic (ATC) ended past 10 p.m. and forgot to bring his car out from TB parking area before curfew. When he went down to get his car, the guards explained that it was closed and he could get his car the next day.
He had a discussion with the guards about his rights as the FEUFA president but the guards still refused to grant him the access saying that the keys were with another security guard.
“Doon ako nagalit, because hindi ko makuha yung logic na hindi ako pwedeng sabihan, ano ba naman yung as part of your security responsibility (That’s the time I got angry, because I didn’t get the logic of not informing me, what about the thought that its part of your security responsibility,)” Ting said.
”I waited for hours, two to three hours,” Ting added.
Ting called Melinda Macaraig, Assistant Vice President for Human Resource Department (HRD) and asked for help. The professor stated that it was about past 12 when the guards opened the parking area.
Counter parting Ting, Miguel said that a request from custodial must be issued beyond the curfew.
“Beyond 10 p.m., there should be a proper request from Custodial,” Miguel said.
Questioned unfamiliarity
According to Ting, FEUFA was not informed by the Administration (Admin) regarding the new security and policies.
“As far as I know, there’s no communication or memo about the sudden change of security,” Ting said.
Furthermore, Ting discerned the orientation of the new security.
“Since they’re the ones securing us, dapat automatic alam na nila kung sino especially kung official ka (Since they’re the one securing us, it should be automatic to know who, especially if you’re an official),” Ting stated.Gaspillo said that every three years they’re changing the security company because they want to preserve the unfamiliarity within the campus for the safety and security of the community.
On the other hand, Miguel said that on their first day, January 4, they were already acquainting themselves on FEU officials.
“Una, we searched all the directors, but sa dami ng faculty, ID system ang sinusunod namin (First, we searched all the directors, but due to the number of faculty, we followed the ID system,)” Miguel said.
Miguel affirmed but not specified some changes in FEU’s rules.
“May rules na ‘di na pwedeng i-apply, dumarating mga pagbabago (There are rules that are not applicable, that leads to changes)” Miguel said.
Clearing up
Martial Law is defined as a military rule or authority imposed to a population when peace and order in the community cannot be maintained.
Recently, Martial Law was declared in Maguindanao after the mass murders last November 23, 2009.
FEU officials cleared that there is no basis to the alleged Martial Law for security measures are just done to maintain peace and order.
Vice President for Facilities and Technical Services Engr. Rudy Gaspillo clarified that the change in the security management was to comply with the University policy of having a security contract for three years (see related article New Year, new security provider). Moreover it is their way to assure the unfamiliarity between the security guards and the community.
He clarified that memos are not part of the University policies and there is no need to inform the community of the new security management.
It is also their aim to set unfamiliarity between the community and the security for they see this as a way to maintain the tight security measures.
“We are all doing this to make our campus safe. If that cause students inconvenience at times, we apologize but we’re just doing our job to make us all safe”, said Gaspillo.
In addition, to the change of security, Bitun organized a system to monitor the guards and assure the rotation through the matrix posting of guards. Matrix includes the rotation schedule and the number of guards on duty.
He explained that the newly installed grills were part of their development program to strengthen the security of the Technological Building (TB) from unwanted culprits and by-passers who might damage the glass doors.
According to him, it is also a way on how to at least minimize man power since the building is now secured with the new security grills.
For safety reasons, a curfew of 10 p.m. was also implemented; however this curfew caused a heated argument with Ting and the new securities on duty.
Gaspillo added that for safety reasons they want all vehicles entering the University be inspected regardless of the owner, the same with the random inspection of bags but the guards were also oriented who are the officials of the University.
He even added that FEU President Dr. Lydia Echauz also undergoes the same security measures, and the president took it positively.
Moreover, when it comes to the handling of keys, Security Manager Marcelo Bitun clarified that for security and emergency purposes, key duplicates of the University premises were kept in their office.
Gaspillo also denied the allegations of the gun possessions of the security. “They are not allowed to carry firearms, moreover there is a nationwide gun-ban for the upcoming election” he stated.
He even cleared the harassment issue, and according to him the guards are just following orders. All inspections and curfew implementations are part of the University security measures.
Admin’s statement
Human Resource Department (HRD) issued a statement last January 20 in response to Ting’s allegations of harassment and Anakbayan’s protest. The statement claimed that the accusation of Ting was “unsubstantiated and unfair.”
Furthermore, it was pointed there that the professor had not been subjected “to any form of harassment or intimidation”.
HRD states in its letter that on several occasions, the University consistently shows “maximum tolerance” with regards to Ting as the FEUFA president.
According to HRD, in the morning of January 9, Ting parked his car and blocked the main vehicle entrance at Gate 4, almost hitting two students” in the area and before leaving his car left a handwritten poster.
It was emphasized on the open letter that security guards attempted to remove Ting’s car and that he was not physically harmed.
HRD claims that Ting’s story was fabricated and was inconsistent as evidenced by Ting being able to finish all his classes for the day “without the sign of harm or trauma”. Stated in the incident was that Ting at the night before the incident had told the security guards that he would park at the entrance to block the entrance of the University President.
Moreover, the letter states that the incident has been referred to the appropriate government agency for necessary action, and in time, they will be able to prove that FEU is not how it is being unjustly pictured in the said Anakbayan NCR open letter.
Connecting to CBA
Ting sees the incidents are somehow connected to the negotiation on the CBA between the FEUFA and Admin.
“Kasi nga, during the negotiation, ang normal na ginagawa ng company ng employer, guluhin ang buhay mo. Kasi nga para made-focus ka. Kahit saan mo tanungin ‘yan, ganun (During negotiations, it is normal for a company to distract an employer to have your attention divided),” said Ting.
As of press time, the negotiation is on deadlock, meaning the two parties did not agree on requested benefits.
The non-negotiable proposals were the 24-unit load/pay (IRR follows), 16 and 17 percent across-the-board increase, rice subsidy of P4,000/first semester, P4,000/second semester, P2,000/summer and P50,000 medicine/eyeglasses annual benefit.
“The CBA is ‘kinda strong and we don’t want to give in. We want what we want, and we need what we want. And they can’t give in, so there’s a probability na itong mga ito ngayon ay may kinalaman dun sa negotiation. It’s so complicated, pero very clear naman how one connects to another,” he furthered.
In an open letter from the HRD it states that the incident is not at all connected to the ongoing CBA or his position as the union president.
“The motive to ignite the emotions of faulty and students and to connect such with the ongoing CBA negotiation are very apparent in all of these,” HRD includes in letter.
Additional tasks
Aside from doing rounds inside the University and checking bags of students and faculties entering and exiting the campus, security guards now are responsible for turning off air-conditioning units in vacant classrooms.
The security guards are now also responsible of the keys of classrooms.
“Okay naman nakakapagod kasi pati aircon kami nagpapatay tapos ‘yung mga students na sinusuway nagagalit samin (Our job is tiring because we are held responsible in turning off the airconditoners and some students get mad at us when we rule them)”:,said one of the security guard who requested for anonymity.
The guard also shared that a lot of students get mad when they prohibits them to eat at the corridor and inside the classrooms He said that, they’ re just following orders and cleanliness is being promoted with those rules.
Regarding the use of rooms, students are allowed to stay and use vacant rooms as long as they will not use the air conditioners. Also guards are not allowed to confiscate ID’s if a student commits violation.
Check and Balance
Gaspillo admitted that there are a lot of things to address and to improve.
He pointed the usual problems addressed to their office regarding the strict inspection of the entry of vehicles and checking of baggage.
“I don’t see any problems with the guards inspecting our bags. I know it’s part of their job but the thing is sometimes they’re not being fair because they let other pass without checking their bags”, said Kimberly Ann Garcia, third year level B.S Nursing.
“At times, we assign guards at the gate with voice not so [pleasing], no matter he tries to be polite, but because of the voice intonation it turns very offensive for the receiver”, he said.
They also pointed that they still need to orient the guards on the exchange students who have uniform exemption slips to avoid misbranding these students of not wearing proper uniforms.
Gaspillo considers every complaint as a learning process for them to improve and adapt to the system inside the campus.
Obstruction
Also last January 9, at 8:15 a.m., Miguel called the University Belt Area (UBA) Police Station requesting for assistance involving a case of obstruction within the University’s vicinity.
Police Chief Inspector Rayan Ador discussed that act of blocking the driveway is a clear violation with regards to obstruction.
Ting violated Republic Act 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code specifically Article IV, Section 46 which prohibits parking in specified places such as within an intersection, crosswalk, in front of a private driveway, etc.
However, the complainant did not mention anyone in particular but instead reported the car which was said to be owned by an outsider. The account included descriptions of Ting’s car and plate number.
Ador furthered that the police tried to search for the owner of the car but was unsuccessful. This triggered the security to tow the car─a statement that counters Ting’s side.
The crime report also includes referral to the traffic wrecker.
Ting said, “Ako, may klase naman. (I have my classes) It can be proven; I have a 7:30 to 10:30 class at AB 202. Then, I had 1:30pm to 7:30 pm class. How come they denied that I am the owner of this car?”
Ting said that he tried to blotter the security agency but was denied of the action. According to him, the police said his complaint did not meet the grounds for police blotter.
As of press time, the obstruction case filed against Ting is being heard at the Municipal Trial Court of Manila.
FEU Advocate reportorial team:
Larra Mariz C.Domingo, Alessandra J. Modesto, Lora Gene D. Tumulak, Ma. Criselda D.C. Tan, Jeanne Marie A. Calvo, Abbey Gail Shayne R.Yumul
With reports from Kimberly Mae C. Mendoza and Clarice Pearl M. Ansil, Arvin James A. Despuig