Students slam WVSU Army speaker invite

By Juliane Judilla

Various student and youth organizations denounced West Visayas State University’s decision to invite Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, the 67th commanding general of the Philippine Army, as guest speaker for the university’s Recognition Program on June 3.

The controversy emerged after the university announced May 30 that Nafarrete would speak at the annual event, which recognizes the academic achievements of graduating students.

In separate statements released over the weekend, the WVSU University Student Council, SAMASA-WVSU, and the League of Filipino Students-WVSU opposed the invitation, citing allegations of human rights violations and militarization linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The WVSU USC said it “deeply resonates with the grave concerns raised by the student body” regarding Nafarrete’s selection.

While emphasizing that it supports the recognition program and the celebration of student achievements, the council said its objection was directed solely at the choice of speaker.

“We firmly believe that the serious allegations of human rights violations associated with leadership under his command, including recent operations in Mindoro and Negros Occidental that tragically claimed the lives of civilians and fellow youth leaders, directly contradict the humanitarian values, justice, and peace that WVSU stands for,” the USC said.

The council also raised concerns over what it described as the AFP’s alleged red-tagging of student organizations and militarization of academic spaces.

It called on the university administration to safeguard students’ rights and welfare and encouraged students to wear black ribbons during the June 3 program as a symbol of protest.

SAMASA-WVSU also rejected Nafarrete’s participation in the event.

The organization cited the Philippine Army’s alleged involvement in human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, unlawful surveillance, harassment, and red-tagging.

The group cited the bloody military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19, where 19 people were killed.

SAMASA-WVSU said nine of those killed were civilians and claimed that Nafarrete, as a senior military leader, bore responsibility for operations carried out under his command.

The group also criticized Nafarrete’s characterization of the incident as a “legitimate encounter.”

“What kind of inspiration could Mr. Nafarrete possibly offer to the best and brightest of WVSU?” the group asked in its statement.

The Philippine government has said the 19 people killed in the Toboso operation were suspected New People’s Army rebels, while human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into claims that civilians were among the fatalities.

The New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been designated a terrorist organization by the Philippine and U.S. governments.

Likewise, LFS-WVSU opposed Nafarrete’s invitation, describing the Philippine Army as an institution with a long history of alleged human rights violations.

The group cited the deaths of civilians in military operations in Negros and Mindoro as grounds for its opposition, alleging that bombing operations had resulted in civilian casualties and the displacement of Indigenous communities.

“WVSU values human rights and human dignity—principles that Mr. Nafarrete does not stand for and is openly complicit in its violation,” LFS-WVSU said.

The organization said inviting Nafarrete as guest speaker was inconsistent with the university’s stated commitment to integrity and excellence.

As of writing, WVSU officials had yet to respond to the statements released by the student and youth organizations.

The Philippine Army had also not publicly addressed the groups’ criticisms of Nafarrete’s scheduled appearance.

The university’s Recognition Program is set to proceed on June 3.