Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army on Thursday pushed back against claims that some people killed in a clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental were civilians and not members of the New People&#x27;s Army as authorities claim.</p><p>Official statements as well as posts on social media have said the fatalities in the April 19 encounter in Barangay Salamanca were researchers, journalists, students, and social workers, and that government troops violated human rights and international humanitarian law in killing them.</p><p>The Philippine Army said such claims “deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance,” noting that the presence of individuals at an active encounter site—armed and engaged in firefights with soldiers—raises serious questions.</p><p>“Bakit sila nasa mismong encounter site, armado, at nakikipagbarilan sa mga sundalo?” the Army said in a statement. “This is not a trivial detail that can simply be ignored or dismissed.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/4/20/19-na-hinihinalang-npa-patay-sa-engkwentro-sa-negros-daan-daang-residente-nagsilikas-1722">19 na hinihinalang NPA patay sa engkwentro sa Negros; daan-daang residente nagsilikas</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>JOURNALIST, STUDENT AMONG CASUALTIES</strong></div><p>The NPA has acknowledged casualties but said in an April 23 statement that &quot;of those who fell, only a small squad was composed of revolutionary fighters led by Roger &#x27;Ka jhong&#x27; Fabillar.&quot; It said others killed were &quot;civilians documenting a peasant activity.&quot;</p><p><strong></strong>Alternative news network <a href="https://www.altermidya.net/statement-on-the-killing-of-rj-nichole-ledesma-1/">Altermidya said in a statement</a> that its regional coordinator RJ Nichole Ledesma of Paghimutad‑Negros was among those killed.</p><p>The network said he &quot;was in the area doing community work and immersion reporting on the effects of renewable energy projects...on vulnerable farmer communities.&quot;</p><p>It also cited reports that Ledesma was killed in a different area from the clash site.</p><p>Also killed in the military operation was UP University Student Council officer Alyssa Alano, who <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCUPDiliman/posts/pfbid0244nSKTFvsKvrTVpq5KSNJRCVJoBwMQ5wRZK2o4APKPjzaZDYoREDmmKJyVWzFSt6l">the council said</a> was in Negros Occidental to learn about the living and working conditions of farming communities in the province.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/02/18/here-there-be-rebels-pnp-warns-against-field-trips-to-insurgency-affected-areas">Here there be rebels: PNP warns against field trips to insurgency-affected areas</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TEODORO: WHY WERE THEY THERE?</strong></div><p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., echoed this, questioning why alleged civilians would be present in the middle of an armed confrontation.</p><p>“Eh kung nasa engkwentro talaga kasama ng armado, eh di talagang madadamay. Anong ginagawa ng estudyante doon—kung estudyante man talaga iyon sa engkwentro? Bakit kasama ng NPA?” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Yuldong at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.</p><p>“Whether or not NPA ‘yun, sa engkwentro, you shouldn’t be there in the first place,” he added, noting that presence in such situations could constitute aiding and abetting or obstruction of justice.</p><p>According to the AFP, troops from the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion engaged members of the NPA following civilian reports of armed individuals in the area.</p><p>The firefight began around 3:58 a.m. and continued throughout the day as the armed group attempted to evade government forces.</p><p>Nineteen alleged NPA members were killed, and 24 firearms were recovered from the encounter site, including those reportedly belonging to identified leaders.</p><p>Military officials said the operation “dealt a significant blow to the communist terrorist group’s (CTG) operational ability in Northern Negros.”</p><p>Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said those killed have been identified through information from former rebels and documents recovered on site.</p><p>“Kung sinasabi nilang mga estudyante lang sila doon, ano ang ginagawa nila sa encounter site na may hawak na baril at makipagbarilan sa ating mga sundalo?” Dema-ala said in an interview.</p><p>The AFP maintained that the operation was carried out in accordance with rules of engagement, with full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.</p><p>At the height of the clashes, more than 600 residents from Toboso and over 200 from nearby Escalante City were evacuated to safety, with authorities coordinating efforts to ensure their protection and eventual return.</p><p>The military also rejected allegations circulating online accusing troops of abuses, warning against what it described as “trial by social media.”</p><p>“We must be careful not to oversimplify complex security incidents or prematurely assign blame without verified facts,” the Philippine Army said.</p>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army on Thursday pushed back against claims that some people killed in a clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental were civilians and not members of the New People's Army as authorities claim.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army on Thursday pushed back against claims that some people killed in a clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental were civilians and not members of the New People's Army as authorities claim.

Defense officials reject claims civilians were killed in Negros Occidental clash

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Defense officials reject claims civilians were killed in Negros Occidental clash

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 03:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine Army

Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

New People's Army

Toboso

Negros Occidental

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