Former UP Student Leader Arrested in Camarines Norte on Attempted Homicide Warrant

Camarines Norte, Philippines — Authorities arrested, on September 4, 2025, Faye Margarette Tallow, a former University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman student leader, in Labo, Camarines Norte, on the strength of a warrant for attempted homicide.

A Municipal Trial Court in Lopez, Quezon, issued the warrant in December 2020 against several individuals, including an alias Ka Nadia, which authorities have linked to Tallow. The case, docketed as Criminal Case No. 2020-7902, set the bail at ₱36,000 per accused.

The Philippine Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion said Tallow is now in police custody.

Certain groups have disputed the manner of Tallow’s arrest. Anakbayan described the arrest as an “abduction,” claiming no warrant was presented at the time and that Tallow was moved between several police stations before her location was confirmed. The group identified her as a former chairperson of Anakbayan Maskom and STAND UP at the UP College of Mass Communication.

In a separate statement, Fides Lim of Kapatid said Tallow had been held incommunicado since September 6, without access to family or lawyer,, allegations she said violate international law and Republic Act 10353 (Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012). The claim, however, was disputed by the both the police and the military, claiming that she had been accompanied by family and with legal counsel.

Two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) also identified Tallow as “Ka Nadia.” Alwin Casao, formerly under the Apolonio Mendoza Command, said that Ka Nadia served as a political instructor between 2022 to 2024. He also identified her as the wife of NPA commander Sandy Broncano, who was killed in an encounter in Quezon last August. Another former rebel, “Ka Jackie,” also disputed Karapatan Bicol’s claim that Tallow was merely a farmer, saying she belonged to the same NPA unit operating in Camarines Norte.

As of posting time, the UP College of Mass Communication Student Council has already launched a donation drive for Tallow.

Authorities have not released further details on her detention.

This is a developing story.