THE KABATAAN Party-list has condemned the suspension of four University of Santo Tomas (UST) student leaders, rejecting the university’s invocation of academic freedom to justify disciplinary action against students who protested the presence of military personnel on campus.

Kabataan national spokesperson Joaquin “Waks” Buenaflor said academic freedom should protect the entire university community, including students, faculty members and researchers, rather than be used to suppress dissent.

The four students—Raven Racelis, Dex Frogoso, Ralph Manuel and Sean Capalar—filed an appeal with the UST Office for Student Affairs on Wednesday.

They were suspended following a confrontation with Philippine Air Force personnel during an on-campus exhibit on April 21. Capalar was also removed from her elected post as Central Student Council public information officer.

Buenaflor argued that the disciplinary action appeared to punish the students for expressing opposition to the military’s presence on campus.

He said the case went beyond questions of discipline or respect for university authorities, raising concerns about the suppression of student expression and social criticism.

Kabataan also criticized what it described as a double standard, alleging that UST allowed military activities on campus while penalizing students who opposed them.

The youth group further claimed that the case reflected a broader crackdown on student activism, alleging that campus administrators and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict had worked to intimidate and penalize students who speak out.

Kabataan maintained that the issue extended beyond UST, reflecting broader concerns about academic freedom and the treatment of student activists in both public and private universities.

The group is demanding the immediate revocation of the four students’ suspensions, the lifting of the withholding of their certificates of good moral character, and Capalar’s reinstatement as Central Student Council public information officer.

It also urged students and young people nationwide to defend academic freedom and continue exercising their right to criticize government policies and institutions.

Buenaflor stressed that academic freedom carries not only constitutional protections but also a responsibility to question authority and speak out on issues affecting society.