The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Students from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman are in mourning after one of their own was killed in what the military described as an encounter with rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Toboso, Negros Occidental last April 19. The UP Diliman University Student Council confirmed late on Wednesday that the victim was identified as Alyssa Alano, an Education and Research Councilor. “In connection with this, the UP Diliman University Student Council reports that one of those killed was our fellow Iskolar ng Bayan, USC Councilor Alyssa Alano, due to the fascist attack and military repression in Negros,” the council said in a statement in Filipino. The council condemned Alano’s killing by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion against an innocent civilian. “Alyssa lived and studied among our farmer brothers and sisters in Negros to understand their true conditions in the face of land grabbing, exploitation, and militarization,” the council said. “As long as the root causes of poverty remain unresolved, there will be more like Alyssa who are willing to study society and fight for a society free from exploitation. The spirit of Alano will never fade among the ranks of Iskolar ng Bayan, who will further strengthen unity to ultimately defeat an oppressive and exploitative social system,” they added. Meanwhile, the UP Office of the Student Regent also condemned the death of Alano, who also served as chairman of the UP Diliman division of the League of Filipino Students and led a walkout that was participated by 8,000 students. “Even before this, Alyssa had already made significant contributions in amplifying campaigns against corruption, against the militarization of the university, and for increasing the UP budget. Her commitment to immersing herself in the conditions of farmers reflects the spirit of public service and compassion expected of an Iskolar ng Bayan,” the office said.
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