DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. slammed a student activist and questioned UST officials for tolerating “disrespect” following a viral confrontation during the exhibit of Philippine Air Force (PAF) on April 21.
Teodoro said UST should sanction activist Raven Racelis for disrupting the event in which the Air Force, he pointed out, were invited by University authorities.
“So ako, walang justification ‘yan. Talagang kabastusan lang ’yon,” Teodoro told reporters covering the opening of a military exercise with the US on April 24.
In a video posted by Racelis on April 21, she was seen, accompanied by other students, engaged in a heated conversation with PAF personnel during the exhibit at the lobby of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Alumni Center Building.
Racelis and the officials were heard arguing about the aerial bombings and strafing operations in January in Occidental Mindoro, which reportedly killed three children and two youth researchers. Two military personnel were also reported to have been injured.
In a statement on Facebook, Racelis questioned the University’s choice of guests.
“Is this the kind of ‘guests’ the university invites on its 415th founding anniversary for Thomasians to ‘grasp’ nation-building and national security? Redtagger, war criminals, human rights violator!” she said.
“They have no place in academic spaces meant to nurture critical thinking, not weaponize it. Nakakahiya kayo! Mula sa pagpasok ng NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) noon, ngayon naman militar ang mainit niyong tinanggap,” she added.
In November 2025, the Department of Political Science organized a forum titled “Preventing Terror Grooming: The Philippine Experience,” which initially listed the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict as speakers.
The participation of the NTF-ELCAC was later withdrawn following backlash from activists.
Teodoro said the April 21 incident was a deliberate attempt to “bait” military personnel rather than a legitimate form of protest.
“And I don’t know why the school authorities tolerate such kind of presence. Inimbita ‘yung ating Philippine Air Force, tapos papayagan nilang ganunin?” he said.
He said that the University should impose disciplinary action on Racelis over what happened in the exhibit.
Teodoro also questioned the University’s residency policies, claiming the student in question had remained in the same academic level for eight years.
The Varsitarian learned that Racelis entered college as a philosophy student in the academic year (AY) 2022-2023. She later took a leave of absence and resumed studies in AY 2025-2026.
In 2022, she graduated from UST Senior High School under the humanities and social sciences strand.
The Varsitarian reached out to Racelis for comment but has yet to receive a response as of writing.
Activist groups have criticized the PAF exhibit and noted that it was made part of the celebration of UST’s 415th anniversary.
Anakbayan condemned the presence of the PAF, citing of its “long record of facism.”
Anakbayan UST Artlets called on UST to cut ties with the military, questioning why the University welcomed an entity that “threatens students’ freedom.”
According to the April 20 circular of the Office of the Secretary General, the exhibit sought to provide “insights on the capabilities and modernization programs of PAF” and “opportunity to appreciate national service and defense.”
The exhibit featured aircraft miniatures and display boards, a flight simulation experience, audio-visual presentations, and interaction and photo opportunities with PAF personnel. L.A.N. Palma and L.R.C. Santos
