By Kristine Anjela Pablo and Maxine Alessandra B. Turiano

Various progressive groups and student organizations, including the Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO), attended the electoral protest in front of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Building on May 10. 

Students from FEU were among the student organizations present at the said protest. The University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, and Ateneo de Manila were some of the other colleges in attendance. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEUCSO President Arnold Kristoff Josue Luzon encouraged the FEU community to review our nation’s history, as it shaped FEU as an institution and who we are today. 

Luzon also highlighted FEU students and FEUCSO’s involvement in issues like Martial Law, human rights, and extra-judicial killings embodying the teachings of FEU founder Nicanor Reyes and the core values of the university. 

Following this statement, Luzon also called for FEU to suspend classes and join FEUCSO and other student organizations’ call for a fair electoral process.

“Kaya ngayon siguro ‘yung hinihimok natin, number one, yung administration. Alam ko na suporta sila sa pag-organisa natin pero kailangang may suporta sa sistema kung saan mabibigyan natin ng kalayaan at ng espasyo yung FEU students na makilahok sa mga ganitong paggalaw, sa mga ganitong pagkilos, (Perhaps now that’s why we’re persuading, number one, the administration. I know that they’re supportive of students organizing but there must be support in the system where we can give FEU students the freedom and space to participate in such movements, in such actions,)” Luzon stated. 

He also calls upon the government to uphold clean, fair, and honest elections.

“Pakinggan ‘yung sigaw ng tao, pakinggan ang sigaw ng kabataan, (Listen to the cry of the people, listen to the cry of the youth,)” he added. 

The protest was conducted in light of electoral discrepancies, numerous accounts of failed vote-counting machines, and resistance to democracy and freedom threats.

(Photo by Arnold Quizol/FEU Advocate)