UST suspends 4 student activists over PAF exhibit incident
MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended four student activists who faced disciplinary complaints following a confrontation with military personnel at a Philippine Air Force (PAF) exhibit on campus last April 21.
The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, reported on Monday, Oct. 5, that the university’s Office of Student Affairs had issued separate resolutions addressing two complaints—one filed by the PAF and another by an alumnus who expressed concern over the incident.
The resolutions said the students—Sean Capalar, Dex Frogoso, Ralph Manuel, and Raven Racelis—violated UST’s Code of Conduct by failing to uphold the university’s principles and ideals.
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According to The Varsitarian, the university will also withhold certificates of good moral character from the four students. This resulted in Capalar’s removal as public relations officer of the UST Central Student Council (CSC) due to her “effective lack of a certificate of good moral character.”
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Capalar was suspended for five days, while Racelis received a 10-day suspension. Manuel and Frogoso were suspended for eight and four days, respectively.
The complaints stemmed from the confrontation at the PAF exhibit, which was held as part of UST’s 415th-anniversary celebration.
The student activists questioned Air Force personnel about military equipment and operations, as well as alleged human rights abuses, two days after an armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, that left 19 people dead.
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CSC Secretary Clarence Mindo criticized the university’s decision, saying the suspensions amounted to the “weaponization of the student handbook” and would prevent the practice of dissent and academic freedom among students.
“This is unacceptable against genuine student representation,” Mindo said. “I cannot, within my conscience and individuality, stay silent regarding this matter, especially knowing the context of these cases filed against our own.” /cb
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