KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Renee Co on Saturday accused the Philippine Air Force (PAF) of initiating the investigation that led to the suspension of four University of Santo Tomas (UST) students, rejecting the military branch’s denial of involvement in the disciplinary action.
Co said the PAF prepared and submitted an incident report that the university administration used to sanction students Raven, Ralph, Manuel and Dex, whom she described as young people opposing corruption and fascism.
“The PAF must have expected that the youth is clueless — that we cannot connect the dots and see that they’re behind this witch hunt,” Co said, adding that the exposed incident report showed how a military institution pushed for administrative sanctions against the students.
She also criticized the Armed Forces of the Philippines over what she described as a broader pattern of violence and repression in schools and communities across the country.
Co cited UST’s past accommodation of hundreds of displaced Lumad, saying it was disappointing for the institution to appear to favor the PAF, which she accused of bombing Lumad schools.
The lawmaker’s remarks came after the PAF denied any role in suspending the four students. JAMES DANIEL DANIO
