WVSU grads protest Army chief speaker

By Juliane Judilla

Several graduates attending the 2026 Parangal Ceremony of West Visayas State University in Lapaz, Iloilo City on June 3 wore black ribbons on their academic uniforms to protest the event’s guest speaker, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete.

The silent protest came amid criticism from student organizations after the university announced that Nafarrete, a senior official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, would serve as keynote speaker for the recognition ceremony.

In separate statements released over the weekend, the WVSU University Student Council, SAMASA-WVSU, and the League of Filipino Students-WVSU opposed the invitation.

The groups cited allegations of human rights violations and concerns over the militarization of civilian institutions associated with the AFP.

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

While reaffirming its support for the recognition program and the celebration of student achievements, the council said its objection was directed solely at the choice of speaker.

Meanwhile, WVSU campus publications, including the university-wide student publication Forum-Dimensions and several college publications, were reportedly denied entry to the university’s cultural center, where the ceremony was held.

According to student journalists, publication staff members were told they needed a letter of authorization or permit to cover the event.

The incident drew condemnation from the Panay chapter of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, which described the restriction as a violation of students’ right to information and an attack on press freedom and editorial independence.

“Not only did you invite a man accused of being responsible for the killing of one of our media colleagues, RJ Ledesma, but you also chose to repress and censor student publications. Such a shame,” CEGP Panay said in a statement.

The Parangal Ceremony is traditionally held to recognize outstanding students and graduates for academic and leadership achievements.