Five Ateneos nationwide protest the impending reimposition of the death penalty bill

The noise barrage at the different Ateneo universities. Clockwise from left Ateneo de Cagayan-Xavier University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan SJ, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin SJ, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo Law School, Ateneo de Naga University

Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College students held a joint noise barrage along Katipunan Rd. on March 8, 2017 to protest the House of Representatives’ passing of the Death Penalty Bill the day before. The bill was passed with 216 congressmen in favor of it. Only a total of 54 solons rejected the bill.

Leading the Ateneo contingent was University President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin SJ and President of the Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila (the student body) Carmela Vinzon. From Miriam College was Nikaela Jan Cortez, president of Miriam College’s Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Miriam.

Miriam College guest former Human Rights Chairman Etta Rosales said “Death penalty is the most cruel violation of human rights.”

The noise barrage was also echoed by Ateneo universities in Davao, Naga, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga and by other Catholic universities in Manila, Naga and Zamboanga.