18/09/2026
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐ข๐ก ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ'๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง ๐จ๐๐ฃ'๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
The Industrial Wheel, the official student publication of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) - Main Campus, stands in solidarity with The Pillar, the official student publication of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), following the reported removal of its editorial banner and the subsequent stoppage of activities during Balik Kampus 2026 on September 17.
According to The Pillarโs documented timeline, the publication displayed a banner at the Academic Circular Building carrying the statements โJunk HB 9414, 9861โ and โDefend Press Freedom.โ At around 3:55 p.m., University Security Force personnel reportedly attempted to remove the banner, resulting in a confrontation between security personnel, student leaders and members of The Pillar. The publication further reported that, during the confrontation, a security personnel nearly pushed one of its members, who almost fell down the stairs. The banner was subsequently returned following the intervention of the Office of Student Affairs.
At around 5:19 p.m., the timeline documented by The Pillar records the arrival of personnel from the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office at the Academic Circular Building. A memorandum was reportedly presented directing the stoppage of the program over an alleged violation of university policies and rules and alleged disrespect toward university security personnel. The Pillar's Editorial Board and student leaders subsequently sought clarification from university officials, while students began leaving the building at around 6 p.m.
University policies governing campus activities must be implemented alongside the rights and responsibilities afforded to students and student publications. Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution protects freedom of speech, expression and the press, as well as the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. These protections are particularly significant to the campus press as Republic Act No. 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, declares its state policy to uphold and protect freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism. The law also provides that, once established, a student publicationโs Editorial Board shall freely determine its editorial policies.
With this, we stand with The Pillar as it seeks clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the removal of its banner, the memorandum subsequently invoked to stop the activity, and the reported physical confrontation involving one of its members. We call for transparency, dialogue and respect for the rights and responsibilities of the campus press. Any concerns involving student publications should be addressed through proper institutional processes and with due regard for the safety and dignity of the students involved.
The Industrial Wheel stands with The Pillar and with student journalists who continue to fulfill their responsibility to their respective academic communities. Our solidarity is rooted in the shared principle that campus journalism must have the freedom and space to serve its student community responsibly and ethically.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐๐น๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ท๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ.
