Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan hold a protest at the Camp Aguinaldo EDSA Gate along Boni Serrano in Quezon City on Friday, April 24, 2026, to condemn the alleged Toboso massacre in Negros Occidental. The incident reportedly left at least 19 people dead following a clash between government forces and suspected communist rebels.
Protesters called for accountability from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, raising concerns over alleged human rights abuses and ongoing repression while demanding justice for the victims.
Maria Tan , ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

JUSTICE for NEGROS 19

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The Palace on Monday said it will not interfere with the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) into a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead.</p><p>Among those killed were University of the Philippines student leader Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma, whose deaths have drawn condemnation from progressive groups and organizations.</p><p>Two American citizens were also reported among the fatalities in the military operation, which was condemned by several progressive groups and student organizations.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/4/27/philippines-says-two-us-citizens-among-19-killed-in-raid-0831">Philippines says two US citizens among 19 killed in Negros raid</a></div><p>&quot;According to AFP, legitimate military operation ang naganap, at ang sabi din ni General Brawner, they were armed. So, magpapa-iimbestiga po sila sa Commission on Human Rights, hindi naman po pipigilan para malaman ang katotohanan dito,&quot; Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.</p><p>The Communist Party of the Philippines said both Alano and Ledesma were civilians and not armed combatants, contrary to statements from the Philippine Army.</p><p>Initial independent investigations of the CHR also flagged inconsistencies on the identities of the casualties.</p><p>Castro said they will hold into account if abuses were indeed made during the operation.</p><p>&quot;Everybody who is liable should be held accountable, dapat parusahan iyong umaabuso. Hindi hahayaan ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang umaabuso lalo na sa kanyang administrasyon,&quot; Castro said.</p><p>Marcos recently met with officials of the NTF-ELCAC, where Marcos reportedly said the fight against terrorism must continue.</p><p>&quot;Dapat labanan ang terorismo, dapat labanan ang komunismo. Iyong mga maaaring nanggugulo sa ating bayan. So, iyon lamang po, basta dapat po legal ang ginagawa,&quot; Castro said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/4/26/afp-handang-humarap-sa-anumang-imbestigasyon-kaugnay-ng-engkuwentro-sa-toboso-1923">AFP handang humarap sa anumang imbestigasyon kaugnay ng engkuwentro sa Toboso</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/26/chairperson-ng-usc-ng-up-diliman-itinangging-npa-si-alyssa-alano-2254">Chairperson ng USC ng UP Diliman, itinangging NPA si Alyssa Alano</a></div>

<p>The Palace on Monday said it will not interfere with the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) into a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead.</p>

The Palace on Monday said it will not interfere with the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) into a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead.

Palace: CHR probe into Toboso military operation won’t be blocked

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Palace: CHR probe into Toboso military operation won’t be blocked

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 27, 2026 04:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Palace

CHR

RJ Ledesma

Alyssa Alano

Toboso

Negros Occidental

Commission on Human Rights

NTF-ELCAC

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