MANILA—A faculty member of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine has received death threats after he criticized the impending budget cuts in the government's health services.

The UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU)-Manila Chapter said its president, Dr. Gene Nisperos, received text messages on Monday night threatening him and his family.

"Alam ko ang condo mo. We will get your family one by one," part of the text message read.

Human rights alliance Karapatan said Nisperos also received another text message that read, "Both of you [Nisperos and his wife Dr. Julie Caguiat] will line up with cottons on your nostrils in due time.'"

AUPAEU-Manila Chapter condemned the death threats, saying this was a continuation of attacks against activists, teachers and unionists under the Duterte administration.

Nisperos received the death threats hours after he led a picket at the PGH, demanding a P10-billion budget for the state-run hospital.

"If this is an attempt to sow fear among teachers and unionists who assert for their rights and to fight for a higher state subsidy for social services such as education and health, our Union will not tremble in the face of vicious repressive measures and increasingly fascist attacks by this administration," AUPAEU-Manila Chapter said in a statement.

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— Iris Thiele Isip Tan MD, MSc (@endocrine_witch) October 22, 2019

UP Manila also issued a statement released Tuesday, expressing concern on Nisperos' safety.

"We find such act condemnable. As an academic institution, we will not tolerate this viciousness against any member of our community and will remain vigilant against similar instances now and in the future," it said.