Bambi Eloriaga-Amago
In a statement dated February 22, the University of the East (UE) has announced the dismissal of students involved in a flag-desecration incident, the video of which went viral earlier in the month. The controversial video showed a male student mopping the floor with the Philippine flag. The boy in the video was later identified as a UE student.
“The students involved were meted the sanction of dismissal in view of the gravity of their infraction,” the statement reads, “which was not only a direct affront to the University of the East community but to the entire country’s ideals and traditions as well.”
University officials further explained that they will reinforce their efforts to instill love and respect for the country among their students.
They stated that they “shall endeavor to strengthen activities inculcating respect to the Philippine flag, the anthem and other national symbols, and shall implement measures to monitor the strict compliance and observance of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines by our students and members of our academic and non-academic personnel.”
The university’s decision was met with both praise and criticism from former and current students and from other netizens.
“Maybe we, students must be informed once again that such act is very sensitive to the ideals of the school and the country. Sometimes the students just need a number of advisories for it to sink in or be reminded again,” pleaded Vincent Fernando.
But a former UE student seemingly disagreed. “I studied in UE for my grade school and college. We were taught patriotism and respect for our country’s symbols. I learned much from lessons in history to the events that were happening during that time,” replied Ogami Itto. “The problem with some kids now is that they don’t take to heart what they learn from home or from school. They do foolish things without regard to the consequences. They are controlled more by what’s popular rather than by what is right and good.”
Others expressed their opinion that the punishment was too harsh. Luigi Dimaunahan said, “I feel sad for the guy, sa opinion ko too much ito for a highschool student to handle. Kahit pa sobrang negative ang naging epekto nito sa beloved school ko, i was expecting a lighter punishment na in any point makakamulat ng sobrang mali pa rin ang ginawa niya. (Even if this resulted in a negative image of my beloved school, I was expecting a lighter punishment that would still make him aware of his wrong-doing.) I hope the guy can handle it psychologically speaking. Nagkamali din tyo noong bata tayo. (We also made mistakes when we were kids.)”
Ryan Pineda, however, argued that “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. They were clearly aware of the repercussions, sabi pa nga dba wag daw ipakita ang mukha nya sa video (he even said not to show his face on the video.) Aware sila sa ginagawa nila, hindi lang sila (They were aware of what they were doing, they just were not) ready for what’s coming to them . Be it a lesson for everyone, not just with those kids involved.”
