By Jennifer P. Rendon
The University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV) has also opened its doors to the Philippine Army in Panay Island.
Officers of the 301st Infantry Brigade paid a visit to UPV Miag-ao campus on April 21, 2021.
The faculty and staff of UP Visayas headed by Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano welcomed the team of Brigadier General Marion Sison, 301st Infantry Brigade commander.
Sison said their visit was mainly anchored on strengthening the partnership between the Army in Panay and the University “for future endeavors.”
Sison was joined by Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, the commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion based in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Iloilo.
They were treated to a brief tour of the university facilities to further acquaint themselves with the university’s scholastic agenda and activities.
“We are delighted with the warm welcome of the UP Visayas to the Army that symbolizes a meaningful beginning of a strong collaboration between the two government organizations. With this, we are looking forward to more joint venture with them in the future that will serve the best interests of the Army and the University,” Sison said.
The Philippine Army visit came less than two weeks after Camposano met with personnel from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Iloilo City police chief, said that the meeting with Camposano was a casual meet-and-greet talk.
The UPV in Iloilo City campus is located at Gen. Luna Street, City Proper district, which is under the ICPS1’s area of responsibility.
“I think the UPV management would just want open communication with the police, the local government, and the community. And I don’t think there’s nothing wrong with that,” Garbanzos earlier said.
While Camposano apparently stressed UP’s academic freedom, he also underscored that they welcome state forces to enter the university for security concerns.
“I think, we had a mutual understanding on that,” he said.
Even prior to the celebrated abrogation of the Department of National Defense-University of the Philippines (DND-UP) agreement, the local police in Iloilo City and the management of UP-Visayas had had a good relationship with each other.
