By CESAR JOLITO III
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) is asserting that the deaths of 19 individuals at Barangay Salamanca in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town on April 19 constitute a “massacre,” disputing the military’s claim that the incident resulted from armed encounters.
In a statement, NUPL spokesperson Atty. Julianne Agpalo said they are now calling for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident.
Agpalo cited inconsistencies in the accounts released by the Philippine Army, alongside data gathered by lawyers, as grounds for questioning the official narrative.
She emphasized that under International Humanitarian Law, operations in insurgency settings must adhere to the principles of proportionality, distinction between combatants and civilians, and the identification of legitimate military targets.
“Based on the facts presented to us, these principles appear to have been violated,” Agpalo said.
The NUPL pointed to conflicting military statements, noting that authorities initially reported eight encounters across two sites.
Agpalo also highlighted discrepancies in casualty classifications.
She said the victims allegedly included journalists, students, peasant workers, minors, and some members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
However, later disclosures indicated that bodies were recovered from multiple locations, raising questions about the sequence of events.
While the military maintained that all 19 fatalities were rebel fighters, the NPA reportedly acknowledged only 10 of the dead as its members.
Further, she cited information suggesting that some fatalities occurred during a “hot pursuit” operation, which, according to the NUPL, may indicate that certain individuals were already apprehended or no longer in a position to engage in combat at the time they were killed.
Lawyers who examined the remains also observed deep wounds among the victims, which Agpalo said could point to the possible use of excessive force.
The NUPL added that questions surrounding the reported presence of civilians — including journalists and agricultural workers — in the area should not be dismissed, warning that such narratives could deflect accountability.
Hontiveros backs CHR probe
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, April 28, called for a full and impartial investigation into the deadly encounter, emphasizing that only a thorough probe can establish the truth behind the deaths of 19 individuals.
The senator said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is in the best position to determine what transpired during the clash between government troops and suspected NPA remnants.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Universal Health Care Summit in Talisay City, the senator expressed support for an objective investigation, stressing that justice and long-term peace depend on uncovering the facts.
“Only on the basis of truth can justice be served. And only through truth and justice can we build the peace that we have long sought,” Hontiveros said.
The lawmaker also welcomed statements from Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, the CHR, and Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, noting their openness to clarifying the circumstances of the incident and to seeking assistance from the national government.
While members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives earlier called for a congressional inquiry, Hontiveros noted that no formal resolution has been filed to initiate such a probe.
“But for now, all eyes are on the CHR as the constitutional body mandated to investigate incidents of this magnitude,” she added.
Hontiveros also raised concern over reports of foreign nationals’ involvement in the armed conflict, urging the CHR to include this angle in its investigation.
Two American nationals were among those killed in the encounter, according to statements from Anakbayan USA and Bayan-USA.
The group identified the fatalities as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem.
Authorities said the two entered the country in March and were later found to have participated in armed hostilities alongside NPA fighters.
The incident remains under scrutiny as calls mount for a comprehensive accounting of the events that led to one of the deadliest recent clashes in Negros Occidental./CJ, WDJ