UST Science officials apologize over ‘insensitive’ Christmas poster
by Angelika Ortega
(UPDATED Dec. 17, 10:40 p.m.) Officials of the College of Science denounced on Saturday, Dec. 16, a poster for the college’s Christmas party, which drew flak online for its supposed “insensitivity” and “mockery” of the spate of extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the country.
In a Facebook post containing a statement from the Office of the Dean, the college assured that the poster was taken down after receiving reports of the “unfortunate” event.
“We regret and condemn the posting of the unofficial and unapproved Christmas poster of the college,” the post read.
Netizens slammed the party’s title “Extra Joyful Krismas” for its supposed play on the EJK acronym, after a student, who requested not to be named, posted a shot of the poster on Twitter last Thursday, Dec. 14.
The “insensitive” poster also encouraged attendees to come in “bloody red” Christmas attire.
The college clarified that the poster was one of the suggestions for the Christmas party but was never approved by the office.
The poster was nonetheless found plastered in the halls of the college without any stamp of approval from the dean or the Office of the Secretary General before it was subsequently removed.
The officials added that “the College is steadfast in the formation of competent, committed, and compassionate Christians of high moral standards.”
The college’s student council likewise assured in a tweet that “the [dean’s] office is currently taking necessary actions” to make sure that the said event does not happen again.
The rampant cases of EJKs and other human rights violations in the country under the term of President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn international attention and strong criticism.
International humanitarian group Human Rights Watch has documented more than 12,000 deaths in the Philippines, including EJKs, linked to the government’s brutal war against drugs.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Any references to the Twitter user who posted a picture of the said poster had been removed from the article upon the user’s request. Additional information and statements were also added in the update.
