ILOILO City – A Twitter account alleging predatory sexual behavior of some male students and fraternity members at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) campus in Miag-ao, Iloilo has prompted the school to launch an investigation.
The Twitter account “Manyaks of UPV” posted what have now become viral screenshots of a group chat whose members appeared to have shared nude photos of young women, allegedly including their exes and friends, and made sexually objectifying comments.
These triggered emotional submissions from mostly female UPV students and alumni claiming they were harassed or even raped, and they dropped names.
A “social media fiasco” was how the Office of the Chancellor of UPV described the current issue but it acknowledged the seriousness of the matter.
“The UP Visayas administration strongly condemns the boorish and discreditable behavior of some of our constituents involved in the latest misconduct in social media. We deplore all acts that demean or put to shame women and members of the LGBTQIA+,” read part of the Office of the Chancellor’s statement.
The university is now investigating the matter “and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that appropriate sanctions will be imposed upon those responsible for this offense that has tarnished its reputation and disregarded the code of conduct that it has endeavored to live by.”
The Office of the Chancellor called on all UPV constituents who have been victims of sexual harassment or those whose rights have been violated by this current social media uproar to get in touch with Anti-Sexual Harassment Office (oash.upv@gmail.com) or the Office of Student Affairs (osa.upvisayas@up.edu.ph).
“The University strives to promote and protect the rights of everyone in our community. We will not tolerate any form of harassment or attack against anybody. We are committed to ensuring that UP Visayas remains a safe space for all,” the Office of the Chancellor stressed.
‘MALICIOUS’ MESSAGES
The viral Twitter screenshots of group chat conversations were supposedly among some members of the UP Visayas Scintilla Jvris. Following the leak, the fraternity called the messages “malicious” and claimed it was taking action.
SAMASA UPV, a political organization, said the Twitter account gained traction for releasing conversations that “contained messages on sexual harassment, slut shaming, objectification, and homophobia.”
The Twitter account appeared to have first tweeted on June 26.
In its statement, UPV Scintilla Jvris apologized to “those who were harassed/violated by the actions taken by members involved.”
The fraternity said it has created fact-finding and disciplinary action committees “to ensure accountability at the soonest possible time.”
“UPV Scintilla Jvris denounces misogyny, sexual violence, and homophobia. We are already taking action,” the fraternity said.
The UP Stella Juris sorority, for its part, said it “strongly condemn[s] all forms of harassment and blatant disrespect against minors and people regardless of gender affinity….Women, especially minors, are not objects. Women, the minors, and the members of the LGBTQ++ Community deserve respect.”
“We do not condone the misogynistic and homophobic remarks and manifestations in the controversial private conversations,” the sorority added.
ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT COUNCIL
The UPV Anti-Sexual Harassment Council addressed the issue, too. Here is its statement in full:
“The University of the Philippines values and upholds the dignity of every individual, and guarantees the full respect for human rights of all members of the UP community. All forms of sexual harassment are unacceptable.
“To this end, the University shall maintain an enabling, gender-fair, safe and healthy learning and working environment for the members of the UP community (Section 1. Declaration of Policy, UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code).
“The University of the Philippines Visayas does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. Sexual imposition, non-consensual sharing of intimate messages and images, misogynist or sexist statements, and other sexual misconduct that may inflict significant torments to the psychological health and physical well-being of concerned parties, are considered forms of sexual harassment. No one should suffer from the viciousness of sexual harassment in school and workplace settings or even in social networking sites.
“Members of the UPV community should promptly inform the UP Visayas Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH) of any sexually-harassing incident they experienced or witnessed. The university abides by the provisions of the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code, including due process in filed cases.
“All reported incidents or cases of sexual harassment will be appropriately acted upon according to the guidelines outlined in the UP ASH Code.
“Please direct your reports or queries to oash.upv@gmail.com or through our Facebook page.” (With a report from GMA News/PN)
