MANILA – One of the top Catholic universities in the country has asked its students and supporters, who will attend its basketball match on Sunday, Oct. 2 in Pasay City to wear black garments or put on black clothing accessories as their expression of support to the victims of human rights violations and all those who are fighting to uphold human rights in the country.
In a memo addressed to its community, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) said the request was part of the solidarity gesture during the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball game between its Blue Eagle team, and their archival De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Green Archers.
“Members of the Ateneo de Manila University community who will attend the ADMU-DLSU UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball game this Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, are invited to wear either black garments (i.e. t-shirts, shirts, blouses, jackets, sweaters) or black clothing accessories (i.e. arm bands, scarves, bandanas) to express out solidarity with victims of human rights violations and will all other struggling to uphold human rights in the country,” according to the memo posted on the university’s website.
The memo also reiterated the statements of both communities against current issues confronting the nation.
“This is particularly in light of the considerable amount of sentiments and convictions already expressed by various sectors of both Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle university communities in opposition to the possible Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayan, and the growing number of extrajudicial killings/summary executions in the country,” it added.
The ADMU said, “a parallel invitation regarding this gesture is also being circulated among members of the De la Salle University community.”
The school is run by Jesuits (Society of Jesus).
The issue to bury the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. at the heroes cemetery is pending before the Supreme Court (SC) after several petitions have been filed opposing the plan of the Duterte administration for the former Chief Executive of the country to be buried in Taguig City.