The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has confirmed that another of its students was among those killed in the alleged encounter between the military and New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Toboso, Negros Occidental. The student was identified as Maureen Keil Santuyo, an Associate of Arts student, whom the university described as a 'compassionate youth advocate' actively helping marginalized agrarian communities.
University Calls for Investigation
In a statement, UPOU expressed concern over the incident and called for a thorough investigation. It emphasized the importance of avoiding the spread of unverified information and labeling members of the academic community without sufficient evidence.
Military and NPA Reports
Earlier, the Philippine Army reported that 19 alleged NPA members were killed in an operation by the 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salamanca on April 19. However, the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the NPA denied parts of the report, insisting that not all those killed were armed rebels. They claimed that civilians, including farmer Roel Sabillo and journalist RJ Ledesma, were among the casualties.
Meanwhile, the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) also confirmed that student leader Alyssa Alano was among the fatalities. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. assured openness to any investigation into the Toboso encounter.
