UST urged to uphold students’ rights

MANILA, Philippines — Student leaders of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are calling on the school administration to uphold their democratic rights, following the dismissal of a Grade 12 student for joining the youth organization Anakbayan-UST.

The university administration has insisted that Datu Ampatuan Jr., head councilor of the UST Senior High School (SHS) Student Council, violated the school’s code of conduct by joining the organization known for fighting for the democratic rights of the marginalized.

“The UST SHS administration’s actions only show us how they insist on silencing their students and stopping the youth from carrying out their duties to fight for Filipinos’ democratic rights,” Ruth Dizon, a staffer of the UST SHS Student Council, said in an online broadcast on Sunday.

With Ampatuan’s dismissal from the university, he would no longer be readmitted. UST would also not release his certificate of good moral character.

The UST Student Handbook states that students are allowed to join or form student organizations “whose objectives uphold the vision and mission of the university.” They are also prohibited from joining organizations that are not duly recognized by UST.

In December, the UST SHS administration stressed that Anakbayan was not among UST’s duly recognized organizations, discouraged students from joining the group, and reiterated that it would not assume responsibility for any activity that Anakbayan led.

The Inquirer tried to reach the UST administration for comment but it has not responded at press time. INQ