Suspension of UST students prompts call for House probe

MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan bloc lawmakers have sought a House inquiry into the “alarming escalation” of repression against students and youth leaders who are just protesting against anomalies in government.

“We are condemning the escalating instances of repression, and we want the House of Representatives to immediately investigate human rights violations like these,” Kabataan Rep. Renee Co told reporters on Tuesday.

Co, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, and Gabriela Women’s Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution No. 1512 after the University of Santo Tomas (UST) suspended four student activists for allegedly confronting Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel at an on-campus exhibit on April 21.

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READ: UST suspends 4 student activists over PAF exhibit incident

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The students had questioned PAF personnel about military equipment and operations, as well as alleged human rights abuses, two days after 19 people, including two University of the Philippines (UP) students and activists, were killed in a supposed encounter with soldiers in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The lawmakers also cited 10 other cases of student repression in other universities, including UP, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Eastern Philippines, Sultan Kudarat State University, Cebu Technological University, Cebu Normal University, University of Rizal Pililla, Central Luzon State University, Tarlac State University and Cebu Institute of Technology.

“We want to know the explanation for the pattern of worsening cases of student repression, and why the students are being prohibited from mobilizing inside and outside their schools,” Co said. /cb