University of the Philippines, nagluluksa sa pagkamatay ng dalawang estudyante sa Toboso incident

• The University of the Philippines mourns the deaths of students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Santuyo in a tragic incident in Toboso, Negros Occidental
• The two students were reportedly among those killed during a military operation conducted in the area last week
• UP extended assistance to help bring the remains of the students home and support their grieving families
• The university is calling for an independent investigation led by the Commission on Human Rights and urging the public to withhold judgment

The University of the Philippines (UP) is mourning the deaths of students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Santuyo following a reported incident in Toboso, Negros Occidental linked to a military operation last week.

In an official statement, UP expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its students.

“The University of the Philippines is deeply saddened by the death of UP students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Santuyo,” it said.

“They were killed along with several others in a military operation conducted last week in Toboso, Negros Occidental,” the university added.

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UP said it has extended assistance to bring home the remains of the two students so their families can properly grieve, while also calling for a full investigation into the incident.

“We support the initiative of the Commission on Human Rights to conduct an independent, transparent, and thorough investigation on the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident,” UP stated.

The university also urged the public to be careful in making conclusions.

“We also appeal to the public to withhold judgment on the presence of our students in underserved communities,” it said.

UP stressed that student involvement in fieldwork should be understood in context.

Initial reports said the two students were engaged in community activities connected to their respective organizations, although these were not university-sanctioned programs.

UP also emphasized its position on student engagement beyond the classroom, saying,

“No UP student is limited to lessons learned within the classroom,” while reaffirming its commitment to critical thinking and social awareness.

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“The University shall remain a beacon of critical thinking, conscience, and courage,” it added.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked strong reactions online. Some commenters questioned the university’s policies, with one saying:

“Wala kayong regulation or guidelines in the conduct of student organizations? Bahala sila sa buhay estudyante nila?”

Another asked, “Anong respective organizations? Why not make those organizations accountable?”

Others raised concerns about safety and oversight in off-campus activities, while some called for a more careful review of how student engagements are supervised, especially in potentially risky areas.

In another report, Tuesday Vargas attended a prayer vigil at UP Diliman to pay tribute to former student councilor Alyssa Alano. She highlighted Alano’s commitment to serving marginalized sectors, particularly farmers in rural communities, and also took the opportunity to speak to concerned parents by defending the intelligence and social awareness of “Iskolar ng Bayan.” The gathering likewise became a broader appeal for justice following the fatal encounter in Negros Occidental that resulted in multiple deaths.

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Meanwhile, Janus del Prado expressed strong views on his Facebook post regarding some UP scholars, where he criticized what he described as arrogance and frequent complaints. He clarified that he is familiar with the Free Tuition Law (RA 10931) and its guidelines on eligibility. The actor also emphasized that taxpayers still shoulder the cost of education through government funding and scholarships. Janus added that he has been working since he was five years old and was never able to take the UPCAT.

Source: KAMI.com.gh