UST Suspends Four Student Activists in Air Force Confrontation

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended four Thomasian student activists involved in the oral confrontation with the members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at a military exhibit on 21 April 2026.

In a social media post of The Varsitarian, the official school newspaper of the UST, on 05 October 2026, Thomasian activists Raven Racelis, Ralph Manuel, Mecaella Capalar, and Dex Frogoso are reportedly suspended for 10 days, eight days, five days, and four days, respectively.

The university will also not issue certificates of good moral character to said student activists.

Capalar, who currently serves as the UST Central Student Council public relations officer, will also be ousted from her position in the student organization.

The penalties rooted from the alleged disrespect and confrontation on the part of the four Thomasian activists against PAF personnel.

On 21 April 2026, the PAF presented their equipment, gadgets, training simulators, and significant achievements, among others, to the UST community through an exhibit at the invitation and hosting of the UST administration.

The event, which took place at the ground floor lobby of the Blessed Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building and as a part of the university’s 415^th-anniversary activities, was intended to raise awareness of the modernization of the PAF while building appreciation for national service and defense.

The four student activists allegedly approached some of the air-force men and brought up concerns about alleged human rights violations, military operations in rural areas, and the presence of military personnel and equipment at the campus. The conversation whirled up to a heated oral confrontation.

The students were also said to have chanted “Hustisya para sa mga pinaslang ng pasistang estado” and “Militar sa pamantasan palayasin” (“Justice for individuals slained by the fascist government” and “Expel the military from the university”) before they were escorted out the venue.

According to The Varsitarian, the PAF filed a complaint against the Thomasian activists on the grounds of violations of the 2018 Student Handbook, specifically, the provisions on courtesy, peace, and order. Also lodged as grounds were acts of disrespect and serious disturbance.

The incident went viral online, drawing concerns and various reactions from netizens and social media users.