By CESAR JOLITO III
A coalition composed of 32 civil society and church organizations has called for justice, transparency and lasting peace following the deaths of 19 individuals in a violent encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town on April 19, as the national government maintains a firm stance against reopening peace negotiations with insurgents.
In a joint statement titled “When Lives Are Needlessly Lost, Something Dies in All of Us,” the groups expressed deep grief over the incident, which reportedly claimed the lives of civilians, including two minors.
“This loss inflicts deep wounds not only on the families left behind but on the heart of every Negrense,” the coalition said, urging the public to treat all those involved with dignity and avoid dehumanizing rhetoric.
Causes of insurgency ‘unrest’
Amid conflicting accounts of what transpired, the coalition emphasized the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
The groups also highlighted long-standing socioeconomic issues — such as poverty, landlessness, inequality, and rural marginalization — as root causes of unrest in Negros, stressing that these must be addressed to prevent further violence.
“These conditions have long been the seeds of unrest,” the statement read.
“Leaders must pursue inclusive development and listen to the voices of the youth, offering them hope instead of reasons to rebel,” they said.
The coalition appealed to both government forces and insurgents to de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table, calling for Negros to be known as “an island of peace, justice and hope.”
Earlier, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) launched an independent investigation into the encounter, as conflicting narratives continue to emerge from the military and various groups.
The CHR said its office in the Negros Island Region has begun verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident, emphasizing the need for a fact-based and impartial inquiry.
The commission said it has begun initial coordination with civil society organizations, local authorities and security forces.
Beyond establishing accountability, the CHR underscored the broader implications of the incident, describing the deadly clash as a reflection of the persistent human cost of armed conflict, particularly in marginalized communities such as those in Negros./CJ, WDJ