In a statement released on April 27 regarding the deaths of UP students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Santuyo during an armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, the University of the Philippines expressed sadness over the deaths of the two students and several others killed in the military operation. The statement emphasized assistance for the victims’ families, support for an independent investigation by the Commission on Human Rights, and the right of students to engage in

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was firm in his rejection of calls to resume peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines. “No. I object to any peace talks with the NPA,” he said. “The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace.”

The CPP and the NPA seem to be drawing great value from the same incident, ideological, political, and organizational-wise.

In the so-called National Democratic revolution, the life of an activist or cadre is often measured less by conviction and more by its propaganda value.

Authorities that Lyle G. Prijoles, 40, of Hayward, California, and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem, 26, of Tacoma, Washington, were among those killed.