13/07/2026
OFFICIAL JOINT STATEMENT OF CAPWA UP AND ADVOCATE GROUPS AGAINST THE IMMEDIATE CAPTURE AND IMPOUNDING OF CAMPUS ANIMALS
We, CAPWA UP and allied campus advocate groups, express with indignation and alarm at the hasty, punitive operation by Executive Vice President Saloma of UP Diliman, requesting the impoundment operation and immediate removal of campus animals. This was brought to our attention based on a recent post written last July 9, 2026.
CAPWA UP defines itself as a student-driven, cause-oriented organization dedicated to fostering safer communities and well-being for animals. We believe that in order to nurture their sanctity of life and be treated with harmonious respect, the use of university authority and jurisdiction must not resort in the detainment of sentient beings without humane cause or transparency becoming normalized.
Such cases of impoundment within the campus, manifests a grave moral failure that seeks to dismiss sustainable alternatives and protocols. More so, the seizure of animals by force without prior consultation from animal welfare organizations, public notice, or the effort to navigate non-lethal, evidence-based interventions, diminishes trust toward the UP Administrationโs commitment to practice ethical stewardship.
There are solutions that are proven to be feasible and effective to regulate risks of overpopulation such as the CNVR (Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) program that managed over 1500 cats and dogs with the collaboration of the QC Veterinary Department and Animal Kingdom Foundation.
In order for such hostile schemes to not recur in the future, we demand the UP Administration for the following:
- Restriction to any further impoundments and removal operations affecting campus animals
- Full disclosure and independent review of the orders and agencies to be publicized, especially the procedures and legal basis used to authorize the said impoundment.
- Mandatory inclusion of animal welfare organizations and student councils in all future decision-making processes;
- Advance a published humane management plan for campus animals to concentrate on CNVR, rehabilitation, and monitoring rather than the issue on incarceration and removal
As of now, a resolution was recognized that EVP Saloma will follow UP Dilimanโs policy of CNVR. Consequently, it was clarified among the VPPA, OVCCA, and Saloma that no impoundment had ever occurred to begin with and ensured that any related plans will not resurface in the future.
It is unbecoming for a university that proclaims itself a sanctuary to animals when their actions portray otherwise without regard for standards of humanity and public hearing. We seek their cooperation with us on this matter, affirming that our campus animals will not experience the incapability of humans to shelter them with empathy and compassion.
The people have already spoken. We ask for you to listen to our sentiments. CAPWA UP and our partner groups: College of Paw, Cats of UP Diliman, UPD Union, NSRC, CSSC, CSSPSC, and off-campus advocates, unify to hold the administration accountable and to defend the rights of our campus animals.
