Claims on viral off-campus activity in Bataan ‘not true’, ‘fabricated’ - school

Metro Manila, Philippines - The claims about the viral off-campus trip of students from Bestlink College of the Philippines are untrue and fabricated, the school said on Wednesday, Jan. 29, breaking its silence three days after the incident.

In a statement, Bestlink College said the posts that circulated on social media about its activity on Sunday, Jan. 26 “do not reflect what had actually happened on the ground at the time.”

Students lamented security concerns during the trip, with some saying they even had to walk for four hours just to get to bus rides home. A video also showed students getting off a bus because of smoke inside the vehicle.

Others also reported that some students fainted because of exhaustion, hunger, and lack of sleep during the trip.

“We strongly feel that this misinformation/disinformation was deliberately made by some quarters with the intent to publicly tarnish the good image and reputation of our esteemed institution,” Bestlink College said.

“In this regard, the administration of the institution is open for any independent fact-finding investigation with an end towards establishing the truth about what really transpired before, during, as well as after the event,” it added.

The school admitted that there had been unforeseen circumstances “in the coordination of event and transport service providers” it hired, saying it will find out the cause of the problem.

Bestlink College, however, did not address what the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said, that the school did not submit requirements for the off-campus event.

The school, meanwhile, apologized for causing inconvenience to students and their families.

“We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that future events are better planned and executed, minimizing if not completely avoiding the risk of similar challenges,” it said.

In 2017, 15 people were killed, while dozens were injured in an accident for an off-campus trip organized by Bestlink College.

CHED monitoring other off-campus events

In a text message to NewsWatch Plus, CHED said it is monitoring off-campus activities of other higher education institutions, following the viral off-campus trip.

Jerome Leynes, CHED legal legislative service director, said the commission has instructed its regional offices to check whether schools are compliant with its policies on off-campus events.

A 2017 memorandum order lays out guidelines for activities to be held outside school premises.

CHED said the agency has not yet determined whether it will suspend the school’s off-campus events.

“After our investigation, we shall thoroughly determine whether Bestlink committed any violation of our PSG (policies, standards and guidelines), and if warranted, we shall impose the appropriate sanction as provided in the said CMO,” the commission said.

In a separate text message, Popoy De Vera, CHED chairperson, said the agency “will decide at a proper time.”