Philippine Army Spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala confirmed that University of the Philippines (UP) student leader Alyssa Alano was among those slain during the armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, although he reaffirmed that the security operations conducted was legitimate and Alano was carrying a firearm and engaged in the shoot-out.

In an interview on Balansyado, Dema-ala said that this was a time-worn narrative: when individuals die in armed conflict, people claim they were simply ordinary citizens—students, social workers, researchers.

“Lagi naman sinasabi ng mga iba’t-ibang grupo na pag mayroong namamatay doon sa encounter, ay sinasabi nila na ito’y mga ordinaryong estudyante, ordinaryong social worker, researcher. But mismo ‘yung ating mga sundalo na nandoon sa encounter at sila mismo ‘yung nakasagupa—sila’y nagsasabi na ‘tong mga ‘to ay may mga baril at nakipag-barilan sa ating mga sundalo,” the spokesperson said.

“Ang lagi nga nating tinatanong, kung talaga bang ito ay ordinaryong estudyante lang, bakit sila nandodoon sa encounter site, may dalang baril at nakikipag-barilan sa ating mga sundalo?” he added.

He also said that the barangay authorities have released an affidavit claiming that they have issued no clearance or permission for Alano’s supposed research or immersion activity, which is a mandatory requirement, Dema-ala said.

“Paulit-ulit nalang ‘tong propaganda nila,” he asserted. “Pero the evidences that was recovered doon sa encounter site will tell na sila ay talagang miyembro ng CPP-NPA na nakipag-barilan.” he said, adding that the New People’s Army (NPA) members killed carried firearms and bandoliers with bullets.

He said that the armed encounter which took place in Toboso, Negros Occidental stemmed from intel they had received, informing them that there were reportedly armed groups in Barangay Salamanca.

One soldier, Dema-ala said, was wounded in the gunfight.