FOUR Thomasian student activists are facing disciplinary proceedings arising from their confrontation with Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel during a military exhibit at UST in April.
The Varsitarian learned that the PAF filed a complaint with the University over the April 21 incident at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.
The Varsitarian reconstructed the case from publicly available statements and social media posts about the incident, interviews with three of the four students involved, and other information independently gathered by the publication.
The Varsitarian granted the three students anonymity to protect them from possible repercussions arising from the confidentiality of the disciplinary proceedings.
The names of the four student activists, however, became publicly known after a video of the incident became viral: Raven Racelis and Ralph Manuel of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Dex Frogoso of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Mecaella Capalar of the College of Architecture. Capalar was elected public relations officer of the Central Student Council (CSC) in April, while Racelis was recently appointed to the staff of CSC President Annie Agon.
The case involves alleged violations of provisions on courtesy and peace and order under the 2018 Student Handbook, as well as alleged acts of disrespect, serious disturbance, instigating or leading illegal activities, and unruly behavior.
One of the students interviewed by the Varsitarian said the complaint focused on how they confronted the PAF personnel rather than on the substance of the questions they raised.
“Actually, sa complaint na ‘yon, nagfo-focus sila sa tone ng pananalita namin. Sinasabi nila, confrontational daw kami, therefore, nilalabag daw namin ‘yong peace and order provision sa student handbook and ‘yong courtesy dahil disrespectful daw kami sa kanila,” the student said.
(Actually, the complaint focuses on the tone we used. They said we were confrontational and therefore violated the Student Handbook provisions on peace and order and courtesy because we were supposedly disrespectful toward them.)
The student argued that the confrontation escalated after PAF personnel asked whether they belonged to leftist organizations and made remarks about young people killed in military operations.
The activists characterized the questioning about their affiliations as red-baiting or “red-tagging.”
“Supposedly, secondary ang form dito, and I think it is their way para ‘yong nangyaring gulo, ibaling na lang nila sa tone ng pananalita namin,” the student said.
(Supposedly, form should be secondary here, and I think this is their way of shifting what happened toward the tone we used.)
April confrontation
The proceedings stemmed from an April 21 confrontation in which the four students questioned PAF personnel during an exhibit officially promoted as part of the University’s 415th anniversary activities.
The confrontation occurred two days after an armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead.
During the exchange, the activists raised concerns over alleged human rights violations and military operations in rural communities and questioned the presence of military personnel and equipment on campus.
They also chanted “Hustisya para sa mga pinaslang ng pasistang estado” and “Militar sa pamantasan palayasin,” among others, before they were escorted out by security.
(Justice for those slain by the fascist state, out with the military in the university.)
Another student interviewed by the Varsitarian maintained that they initially approached the PAF personnel respectfully and that the exchange became heated after they were questioned about whether they belonged to leftist organizations. The activists said they considered such questioning as red-tagging.
“For me, no po dahil kasi we respectfully approached them. Kasi ‘yong purpose nga po ng exhibit is para mag-inquire kami doon, in-encourage ng announcement na mag-inquire kami doon sa mga military personnel, sa mga officials na nandoon,” the student said when asked whether there was anything improper about their tone.
(For me, no, because we respectfully approached them. The purpose of the exhibit was for us to make inquiries, and the announcement encouraged us to ask questions of the military personnel and officials there.)
The student said the tone of the exchange intensified on both sides, adding that they became angered by remarks allegedly made about people killed in military operations.
“On both parts, yes. Nagkaroon nga ng intensifying na tone. Dahil kasi sa part namin, it was infuriating na marinig din ‘yun na isang kasama namin ay deserve daw mamatay,” the student said.
(On both sides, yes. The tone intensified. On our part, it was infuriating to hear that someone we knew supposedly deserved to die.)
A third student likewise rejected the characterization of their conduct as disrespectful, saying raising their voices came after they were asked whether they were members of leftist organizations.
The student said the activists were not members of the organizations mentioned to them and characterized the questioning as red-tagging.
“Ang disrespect kasi hindi naman siya nade-define based sa tone,” the student said. “We were never part of those organizations. We are mass organizations that aim to contribute to social awareness inside and outside the university.”
(Disrespect is not defined simply by tone. We were never part of those organizations. We are mass organizations that aim to contribute to social awareness inside and outside the University.)
The student said the group had brought printed news reports about military operations in Mindoro and Negros to support the questions they raised during the exhibit.
The April confrontation later drew the attention of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who publicly castigated one of the students for disrespect and questioned why UST authorities had tolerated the incident.
Teodoro also called on the University to impose disciplinary action over the confrontation.
Proceedings confidential
Office of Student Affairs Director Jaezamie Ong stressed that disciplinary proceedings and their records are confidential, and declined to confirm or deny the case.
“The OSA cannot confirm nor deny the existence of any specific complaints, ongoing investigations, or administrative cases filed in our office,” Ong told the Varsitarian.
Some of the students are the subject of an earlier complaint filed by an Artlets faculty member following a controversial symposium on “terror-grooming” in November 2025.
Under the disciplinary procedures in the 2018 Student Handbook, students who receive a show-cause notice are given five days from receipt to respond to the allegations in writing.
They must be informed of the evidence against them and may present evidence in their defense, with the assistance of counsel if they choose.
After receiving the students’ answers, or if they fail to respond within the prescribed period, the SWDC or OSA may hold a conference to clarify the facts and give them another opportunity to explain their side.
For cases handled by the SWDC, the committee reviews the evidence, determines the facts and issues a resolution subject to the approval of the dean or director and the regent. The resolution takes effect unless suspended by the OSA within 10 days.
For cases handled directly by the OSA, a panel reviews the evidence and issues a resolution, subject to approval by the OSA director and assistant director. The Office of the Rector may suspend the resolution within 10 days.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is expected to assist the students in the proceedings.
PAF declines interview
The Varsitarian sought an interview with the PAF about the complaint. The PAF did not deny filing the complaint, but said ongoing operations prevented it from accommodating the interview request.
“The Philippine Air Force is currently directing its efforts to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in support of government response for communities affected by the recent typhoons. Providing timely airlift, logistics, and other operational support to our fellow Filipinos remains our immediate priority, aside from our Territorial Defense missions,” the PAF said in an email.
“Concurrently, we are also completing post-deployment activities of the PAF contingent from Exercise Pitch Black from Australia. These operational missions require our full commitment; therefore, we are unable to accommodate your interview request.”
The PAF did not address the activists’ account of the April confrontation or provide further details about the complaint. M.A.G. Villacorta
