The University of the Philippines is deeply saddened by the death of UP students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Santuyo. They were killed along with several others in a military operation conducted last week in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
The University has extended assistance to bring home the remains of both students, ensuring that their families and communities could pay their respects with dignity.
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, and we call on all relevant government agencies to assist this effort in the interest of justice.
We also appeal to the public to withhold judgment on the presence of our students in underserved communities. No UP student is limited to lessons learned within the classroom.
While initial reports indicate that both students were engaged in community activities for their respective organizations and not university-sanctioned programs, we stand by the right of all students to lawfully and peacefully exercise their constitutionally protected freedoms, especially in furtherance of raising their social consciousness.
The University shall remain a beacon of critical thinking, conscience, and courage.
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