Kalinga State University explains Rep. Co visit after online uproar, assures no recruitment on campus

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Kalinga State University (KSU) has clarified that it did not organize or initiate the recent visit of Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Louise M. Co to the university, while assuring students and the public that recruitment into any organization will not be allowed during such activities.

The clarification was issued on August 14, 2026, following concerns raised online after KSU-The Earthline, the university’s official publication, posted about Co’s visit and invited students to attend the activity.

The post prompted questions and reactions from members of the community regarding the nature of the activity, the participation of students, and the involvement of a political personality on campus.

KSU says it only accommodated visit

Ronald Bulwayan, Director of the Office of Student Development and Services and Placement Services (OSDSPS) of KSU, said the university did not arrange the visit and only accommodated the request after receiving a letter from Co’s office.

“We received a letter from the office of Kabataan Party-list Representative. KSU did not arrange this one. We just accommodated her being a national politician. It’s not initiated by KSU; it is a random visit of the representative to the SUCs,” Bulwayan said.

He clarified that KSU’s role was limited to accommodating the request and that the visit was part of Co’s engagement with state universities and colleges (SUCs), rather than a program initiated by KSU.

Bulwayan, however, stressed that accommodating the visit does not mean the university would allow recruitment into an organization during the activity.

“If there is a recruitment that will happen, we will not allow that. We assure you that we will not allow that. That’s why we are here,” he said.

He said university officials were present to monitor the activity and ensure that it remained within its intended purpose.

“KSU cannot say no as a state University to any recognized gov't figure who will come and visit the university ta part garud ti congress, that's why the administration did their part of securing the venue,” Added Bulwayan.

Student leaders asked to attend

Bulwayan also said KSU directed the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and Central Student Government (CSG) to attend the activity on behalf of the student body.

According to him, the student leaders were asked to represent the students during the activity and serve as a link between the participants and the university.

Their presence also allowed the university to have student representatives who could observe the discussions and relay any concerns regarding the activity.

Online concerns surface

Following the KSU-The Earthline post, several comments circulated online, with some commenters questioning the activity, the invitation of students, and the involvement of a political personality.

One commenter questioned why KSU-The Earthline posted about the activity and invited students, while urging parents and students to remain aware of such activities.

“KSU-The Earthline bakit kayo nag post ng ganyan and nag invite ng students? siguro napasok na ang KSU Earthline. Parents and Students be aware of such activities. haan kayo agpa allilaw ti ibag baga da. let us not tolerate them in Ksu Campus or any schools in KALINGA.”

Another commenter expressed concern over the activity and alleged that students could be recruited into rebel groups.

“This is deeply concerning and alarming. Don’t let them use their position to poison the minds of our youth. Grabe, Kabataan Partylist talaga? Alam ko na kalaran ng mga yan. Stop recruiting students into rebel groups. Our schools should be places of learning, growth, and opportunity, not recruitment grounds for armed movements. Protect our children and their future. Hay naku, wag mag attend na lang. Been there, kaya I know.”

The allegation was the commenter’s personal view and was not independently established by the comment itself.

A third commenter called on schools to exercise caution when political personalities are involved in campus activities.

“Dapat maging maingat ang school sa ganitong klaseng activity, lalo na kung may political personality na sangkot. Ang campus ay dapat maging lugar para sa malayang pagpapalitan ng ideya, hindi lugar kung saan mararamdaman ng students na obligado silang dumalo o makiisa. Mas magiging credible ang ganitong programa kung voluntary ang participation at malinaw na walang political agenda, para maprotektahan ang academic freedom at personal choice ng bawat estudyante.”

The commenter emphasized voluntary participation, transparency in the purpose of campus activities, academic freedom, and students’ personal choice.

The online reactions added to the public discussion on how schools should handle visits involving political personalities and outside organizations, particularly when students are invited to participate.

Bulwayan urges students to remain vigilant

Bulwayan also reminded students to remain vigilant and pay attention to the direction of discussions during activities involving outside organizations or personalities.

“Be vigilant and observe. Kitan tayu nu sabali ti turong ti ibaga na kas ibagbaga ti dadduma nga ag-recruit,” he said.

He explained that students should pay attention not only to the stated purpose of an activity but also to how the discussion develops.

If the discussion shifts toward recruitment into an organization, students should recognize the change and remain observant about what is being presented.

For KSU, Bulwayan reiterated that while the university may accommodate visits from national personalities, recruitment into any organization during such activities will not be allowed.

The university’s clarification comes amid the broader online discussion over political engagement on campus, student participation, and the need to ensure that university activities remain transparent and consistent with institutional policies.