Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. reiterated the government’s refusal to engage in peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) in the aftermath of the deadly encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town that left 19 suspected rebel remnants dead.

“They’re the ones disturbing the peace. Why should we talk to them when they are committing crimes — plain and simple — and terrorism?” Teodoro said in a statement.

He maintained that engaging in negotiations could be seen as legitimizing the group’s actions, a position he firmly rejects, reigniting the debate on whether to return to the negotiation table.

“To call for peace talks to elevate the morality of their cause — I cannot accept that,” he added.

The administration’s position underscores its continued focus on security operations rather than diplomatic engagement, leaving calls for dialogue from civil society groups at odds with current government policy.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stood by its account, describing the incident as a legitimate armed encounter.

The military said it is prepared to present evidence in the proper forum, asserting that several fatalities allegedly engaged government troops during the clash.

Teodoro also echoed the AFP’s position, raising questions about the casualties’ presence at the encounter site.

While the AFP maintains that the casualties were members of an armed group, other organizations assert that some victims were not.

AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner, Jr. said they are open to any investigation into the encounter, saying the military was only doing their duty and oath of service.

Brawner said the blame game must stop, and focus should shift to ending the NPA’s continued recruitment in schools.

Brawner also urged the House of Representatives and the Senate to launch investigations and work together to end the country’s insurgency problem.

The recent encounter on April 19 claimed the lives of 19 suspected NPA members, including its leader, Roger Fabillar, also known as “Jhong” and “Arnel Tapang.”

As investigations into the Toboso incident continue, the divide between demands for peace talks and the government’s hardline approach highlights the ongoing challenges in resolving decades-long insurgency in Negros and other parts of the country./CJ, WDJ