Oblation run: UP students run naked to end culture of impunity

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity ran naked around the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City, on Friday, December 12, to “denounce the constant defilement of our country’s rule of law.”

Around lunchtime, fraternity members emerged from Palma Hall, offering roses to the crowd. Donning masks, fraternity members went around the building with banners condemning the culture of impunity in the country. 

The annual tradition of the fraternity, also dubbed as the “Ritual Dance of the Brave,” serves as a unique form of protest for the fraternity.

Citing the fraternity’s cardinal principles, members further condemned the culture of impunity manifested in the murder of  transgender Filipino Jennifer Laude, the lack of safe and strong shelter for Yolanda survivors, and the absence of genuine agrarian reform for farmers in Hacienda Luisita and other plantations in the country.

“Perpetrated even by the people to whom we entrust the execution of laws, these violations have detained Filipinos in fear, and doubt,” the fraternity said in a statement.

The human rights situation in the country has not improved under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, according to human rights advocates.

In order to address these issues, the fraternity urged Filipinos to work together and support laws and bills such as the Bangsmaoro Basic Law, and a genuine agrarian reform law and Freedom of Information Act. – Rappler.com