DEFENSE SECRETARY Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. called on the University of Santo Tomas to discipline the student protester who confronted military personnel during an exhibit, saying the action of the activist was unacceptable.
Teodoro made the remark after a video circulated showing Philosophy freshman Raven Racelis leading a protest against alleged human rights violations during an event of the University and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
“Anong klaseng asal ‘yan? Ako mismo, hindi ko kukunsintihin ‘yan kahit na anong sabihin nila. Estudyante ka lang, kailangan disiplinahin ng eskwelahan na ‘yan,” Teodoro said in an interview aired over UNTV.
(What kind of behavior is that? I would not tolerate that no matter what they say. You are just a student, the school must discipline [her.])
“Kung hindi, nakakahiya na ang eskwelahan na ‘yan. Hindi na laya ang tinuturo ng eskwelahan na ‘yan, kung hindi, baluktot na ideolohiya.”
(If not, that school is embarrassing. That school is no longer teaching freedom, but twisted ideology.)
During an exhibit commemorating UST’s 415th anniversary and the PAF’s 79th anniversary held on April 21, activists questioned the military over its alleged aerial bombings that resulted in civilian casualties in rural areas.
READ: Activists protest against Air Force exhibit at UST
In a video posted on social media, Racelis told officials, “We came here to tell you that your institutions, you are all not welcome in academic spaces because you are the number one human rights violator.”
During the confrontation, she also cited reports about military operations in Abra de Ilog and mentioned the death of student Jerlyn Rose Doydora.
“When we dared to ask these questions, we were the ones escorted out. Since when did seeking truth become disruption? Since when did speaking about civilian experiences become a threat?” her post read.
The defense chief criticized the incident, saying invited military personnel should not have been subjected to such a treatment.
“Nakita ko na ang mga sundalo natin, naimbita sa isang eskwelahan at binastos ng isang estudyante na ayaw ng sagot. Gusto lang palakasin ang boses niya para sa kan’yang gustong i-broadcast,” he said.
(I saw our soldiers, they were invited to a school and disrespected by a student who did not like [their] answers. [She] just wanted to raise her voice for what she wanted to broadcast.”)
The Cabinet member also accused Racelis of “baiting” the officers.
“Inimbita yung ating Philippine Air Force tapos papayagan nila ganunin? Kasi nangbi-bait eh. Nangbi-bait yung bata,” Teodoro said.
(They invited our Philippine Air Force and then they allowed [them to be treated that way?] Because she was baiting, the child was baiting [them.])
Teodoro said the ideology behind such actions could harm the country and erode national dignity.
“At ‘yang gan’yang pag-iisip, ‘yan ang magsasanhi, magiging dahilan ng pagkakawawa ng Pilipinas, pagka-paurong na takbo ng Pilipinas, pagkawalang dignidad ng sarili nating bansa,” he said.
(And that kind of thinking, that will be the cause, the reason for the pitifulness of the Philippines, the regressing state of the Philippines, and loss of dignity of our own country.)
The University has yet to issue a statement on the matter. F
