What concerned groups are saying about Upsilon Sigma Phi’s #LonsiLeaks

November 22, 2018 - 5:13 PM
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Upsilon Sigma Phi

Lumad rights, women and Muslim groups condemned views in a leaked alleged online group chat of Upsilon Sigma Phi members on Twitter.

Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development or Alcadev, a community-run school for Lumads, posted its own satirical take of leaked chat messages on Twitter.

The thread conveyed anti-discrimination and pro-Lumad rights messages.

Lumad rights group Save Our Schools Network expressed its disappointment with the University of the Philippines being that it hosts the Lakbayan advocacy caravan every year.

Lakbayan is a large gathering of minority people conducted to fight for their rights and protest abuses.

“Taun-taon ay tinatanggap kami ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas para magdaos ng Lakbayan at pansamantalang doon manirahan upang palakasin ang aming panawagan. Ngunit, di pala lahat doon ay tanggap kami,” its caption read.

Gabriela women’s party described the remarks against women as “foul and sexist.” It sent out an invite for a street demonstration advocating for women’s rights on November 25.

A UP student mentioned in the controversial chat also spoke up. He denounced the support for genocide and assault against the Muslim community.

The UP College of Law organized a gathering of members of the university community on November 22 to protest Upsilon members’ supposed remarks and fraternity-related incidents in the campus.

Now happening: Members of the UP Community gather at the AS Parking Lot to condemn the violent, misogynistic, and…

Posted by UP Law Student Government – UP LSG on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

 

Prior to the rebukes, the group just celebrated its 100th anniversary, hence the use of hashtag #Upsilon100 on social media.

The hashtag evolved into #LonsiLeaks to refer to the leakage of alleged private chat.

A sketchy social media page bearing the Upsilon Sigma Phi name and its logo was the one that shared the screenshots. Its Twitter account has switched its privacy settings but its Facebook account is still public.

When the leaks went viral, three of the fraternity’s members issued separate statements of apology and call to action on Facebook.

Many online Filipinos, however, perceived these as a way to influence public perception of the fraternity. The posts had since been taken down.