Camille Naredo

Families join human rights advocates in calling for justice and accountability over the killing of 19 individuals on Negros Island—dubbed the ‘Negros 19’—during a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 29, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Families join human rights advocates in calling for justice and accountability over the killing of 19 individuals on Negros Island—dubbed the ‘Negros 19’—during a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 29, 2026. Relatives and supporters shared their testimonies, urging authorities to pursue an impartial investigation, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure protection for communities facing threats and violence. Maria Tan,ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

NEGROS 19-

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177857703222120260429-negros-19-pressconference-MT12.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Families join human rights advocates in calling for justice and accountability over the killing of 19 individuals on Negros Island—dubbed the ‘Negros 19’—during a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 29, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Families join human rights advocates in calling for justice and accountability over the killing of 19 individuals on Negros Island—dubbed the ‘Negros 19’—during a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 29, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday distanced itself from the use of the term &quot;corned beef&quot; to describe fatalities in the military encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, saying it does not condone &quot;disrespectful&quot; and &quot;dehumanizing&quot; language.AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said every loss of life should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of affiliation.&quot;The AFP does not condone disrespectful and dehumanizing language towards any individual, regardless of affiliation. We remind the public that every loss of life is a serious matter, and the discussion surrounding armed conflict should remain respectful, responsible, and grounded on facts,&quot; Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.&quot;Sa dulo po nito, sa huli, ang paraan po ng ating pananalita ay sumasalamin sa uri ng lipunan na nais nating itaguyod,&quot; she added.Padilla made the statement after being asked about social media posts referring to fatalities in the encounter as &quot;corned beef,&quot; a term that resurfaced following the release of the initial forensic findings of forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on the deaths of the 19 individuals, now known as &quot;Toboso 19.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/7/-tao-people-fortun-slams-corned-beef-insult-on-toboso-deaths-2023">READ: Fortun slams ‘corned beef’ insult on Toboso deaths</a></div>In a press briefing last week, Fortun raised concerns over the handling and preservation of the bodies, noting that some of the cadavers were &quot;poorly handled.&quot;She also questioned certain gunshot wounds, including cases where victims were allegedly shot in the back or sustained non-fatal wounds before dying from blood loss.Padilla emphasized that the forensic report remains preliminary.&quot;At this stage, preliminary pa lang po yun. So, meaning, wala pa tayong final na findings,&quot; she said. &quot;We caution against drawing premature conclusions to this while the investigations and the validation process [are] currently ongoing.&quot;The official stressed that the incident site was an active encounter area and not a standard crime scene.&quot;Based talaga ito sa isang engkwentro. Talaga pong may intricacies sa isang encounter site,&quot; Padilla stressed.She added that the AFP allowed third-party investigators access to the area—demonstrating the military&#x27;s openness to scrutiny.&quot;We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and adherence to international humanitarian law. Ang aming mga tropa ay duly indoctrinated. Kasama sa training namin ang rules of engagement and of course, human rights,&quot; Padilla noted.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/12/families-rights-advocates-renew-calls-for-justice-during-negros-19-tribute-0118">READ: Families, rights advocates renew calls for justice during &#x27;Negros 19&#x27; tribute</a></div>Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala also rejected claims that soldiers mishandled the cadavers after the encounter.&quot;As to the activities after the encounter, it is the Philippine National Police (PNP) SOCO [Scene of the Crime Operatives] who processed and documented yung cadavers doon sa encounter site. After the encounter, wala tayong ginalaw—yung Philippine Army. We let the SOCO cordon the area to ensure proper documentation and processes,&quot; Dema-ala told defense reporters.The official maintained that the military operation was legitimate, citing statements from local officials and residents of Toboso.&quot;Not only the local government unit, but also the community in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso. They are the ones saying na legitimate encounter yung nangyari at na hindi lang sila [fatalities] basta-basta researchers. They are also members of the CPP-NPA [Communist Party of the Philippines – New People&#x27;s Army],&quot; Dema-ala said.The AFP also welcomed the ongoing investigation by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), adding it is willing to cooperate.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/27/cpp-says-9-fatalities-in-toboso-military-operations-were-noncombatants-1846">READ: Reds say 9 fatalities in Toboso military operations were noncombatants</a></div>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday distanced itself from the use of the term "corned beef" to describe fatalities in the military encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, saying it does not condone "disrespectful" and "dehumanizing" language.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday distanced itself from the use of the term "corned beef" to describe fatalities in the military encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, saying it does not condone "disrespectful" and "dehumanizing" language.

'Disrespectful, dehumanizing': AFP condemns 'corned beef' remarks over Toboso deaths

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'Disrespectful, dehumanizing': AFP condemns 'corned beef' remarks over Toboso deaths

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2026 05:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

communist rebels

Toboso

Negros Occidental

Toboso 19

Raquel Fortun

New People's Army

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