BACOLOD CITY – A University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman student was among the 19 persons killed in an encounter between the New People’s Army and the military in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 19.
The fatality was identified as Alyssa Alano.
The UP-Student Council confirmed the death of Alano in a statement on Wednesday, April 22.
They said Alano was an innocent civilian, scholar, and Education and Research Councilor of the student council.
The council said Alano lived and studied alongside farmers in Negros to understand their real situation in the face of land-grabbing, exploitation, and militarization.
The council and UP mourned her death and condoled with her family and friends.
The Philippine Army and the police have yet to release a statement on her death.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a statement confirming the encounter.Meanwhile, authorities intercepted five NPA rebels during an operation against a wanted person in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, April 22.
The operation, carried out under ‘’Coplan Head Strike’’ led by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), resulted in the arrest of Glem, 48, of Zamboanga Sibugay, an alleged squad leader of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF), for attempted murder.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that Glem was the second most wanted person in the region for theft, robbery, multiple frustrated murder, multiple murder, crimes against humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity, and attempted murder.
Four individuals were also apprehended for possession and control of firearms and explosives – Dan, 25, of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, an alleged squad leader of Central Negros (CN) 2; Jud, 34, of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Ju, 26, of Murcia, Negros Occidental; and Je, 57, of Barangay Bata, this city.
Police said some of them were wounded.
The suspects were reportedly part of a group involved in an encounter with the Army 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Salamanca on April 19 and managed to escape.
Nineteen suspected NPA rebels, including alleged notorious hitman Roger Fabillar Tapang, were killed in a series of encounters. More than 500 residents were displaced.
The PRO-NIR said this high-impact operation marks a significant breakthrough in their intensified campaign against NPA rebels and dealt a substantial blow to their leadership and operational capability in the region.