By CESAR JOLITO III
A recent fact-finding mission has raised serious questions over the Philippine Army’s account of the April 19 armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town, with participating human rights groups alleging that several of those killed were unarmed civilians.
The findings, endorsed by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), contradict the earlier claim of the Philippine Army — specifically the 79th Infantry Battalion — that all 19 individuals killed were armed combatants linked to the New People’s Army (NPA).
According to the mission, which involved over 100 delegates from local and international organizations, testimonies and gathered documentation suggest that at least six of the fatalities were unarmed civilians.
The group said witnesses from affected communities supported these accounts.
ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy said the mission’s findings “challenge the official narrative” presented by the military.
“These accounts confirm that several of those killed were not engaged in armed activity,” Murphy said.
Among the individuals identified by the mission are student leader Alyssa Alano, peasant organizers Maureen Santuyo and Errol Wendel, journalist RJ Ledesma, Filipino-American activist Kai Sorem, and ICHRP member Lyle Prijoles.
The group maintained these individuals were not combatants at the time of the incident.
The military has not publicly responded in detail to the specific claims of civilian casualties raised in the mission report as of press time.
The report also cited testimonies from residents in Barangay Salamanca, alleging heightened military activity in the area prior to the April 19 encounter, including drone surveillance and house-to-house searches targeting suspected rebel presence.
These claims have not been independently verified.
Detained before killing?
Human rights organization Karapatan also noted reports from residents alleging temporary detention and interrogation of civilians, including minors and farm workers, in the days surrounding the incident.
The mission further drew attention to the underlying land dispute in the area, which has reportedly been submitted to the Department of Agrarian Reform, according to representatives of the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura.
The group said some of those killed had been conducting research and providing assistance to local farmers.
The report also highlighted the deportation of ICHRP Global Council member Reverend Sadie Stone, who had been part of the visiting delegation.
Stone was reportedly denied entry into the Philippines on May 12 over alleged political activity concerns.
The Department of Justice and immigration authorities have not issued a detailed public explanation regarding the decision.
Cieran McGowan, an ICHRP Britain member who joined the mission, described stark socioeconomic disparities in Negros, citing long-standing issues faced by agricultural workers in sugar-producing communities.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths of foreign delegates involved in the mission.
ICHRP has called on the international community to review the findings and urged foreign governments to reassess security and cooperation ties with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in light of ongoing concerns raised by rights groups.
The group also reiterated calls for an independent investigation into the April 19 incident, as families of the victims and local organizations continue to seek clarity on what transpired in Negros Occidental./CJ, WDJ