Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Human rights advocates, progressive groups, and families of the victims gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Monday for a tribute program honoring the 19 individuals killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental.They renewed calls for justice and accountability over what they described as a massacre linked to worsening militarization in rural communities.The program, titled “Negros 19: Panaghoy at Paghihimagsik,” was organized by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, the UP Diliman University Student Council, and Karapatan to commemorate the victims of the April 19 clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the New People&#x27;s Army in Toboso.Raymond Palatino, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the event sought to highlight what organizers described as the continuing human rights crisis under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.“Ang gusto natin ipakita dito na ang nangyari sa Toboso, Negros Occidental, sinasalamin niya iyong human rights situation sa Pilipinas under the Marcos Jr. administration,” Palatino said.“Pinagpatuloy kasi ni Marcos Jr. iyong mga pulisiya ni Rodrigo Duterte which deployed the military troops sa mga isla, sa mga lugar, lalong-lalong na sa mga komunidad na may matinding paglaban ang mga mamamayan, laban sa mga mapanirang pagto-troso, mga real estate projects na tumataboy sa mga residente, at iyong paglaban ng mamamayan para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa,” he added.The event featured speeches, testimonies, and artistic performances in memory of the victims and as a call to continue campaigns against what organizers described as systemic oppression and state violence in rural communities.Meanwhile, AMIHAN National Federation of Peasant Women secretary general Cathy Estavillo said many of those killed were civilians and researchers who went to Negros to document the plight of farmers.“Marami sa kanila ay unarmed. Iyong pagpunta nila doon ay upang mag-research, upang tignan iyong totoong kalagayan ng mga magsasaka sa Negros. Dahil talaga naman sa panahon ngayon, lalong-lalo na sa Negros, ay nananatili iyong fundamental na usapin sa Negros ay iyong kawalan ng lupa,” she added.Estavillo said the massacre reflected broader land and human rights issues not only in Negros but across the country, where peasant communities continue to face displacement and violence amid land disputes.<div>PREPARING LEGAL ACTION</div>The peasant leader also said organizations are preparing legal actions and gathering evidence for possible local and international complaints over alleged violations of humanitarian and human rights laws.“Maraming nilabag ang gobyerno, lalo na sa international law, humanitarian law, kung saan kahit iyong wala nang kalaban-laban ay talagang masaker iyong nangyari,” Estavillo said.Palatino, however, accused authorities of obstructing independent investigations into the incident, saying military restrictions in Negros have made it difficult for groups to conduct fact-finding missions and establish contact with affected communities.“Nahihirapan tayo mag-establish ng link sa mga local communities because of restriction imposed by the military. Katuwang nila ang LGU. Kaya, paano magkakaroon tayo ng genuine fact-finding at saka independent investigation kung hinaharangan ang ating mga inisyatiba at tinatakot iyong tao,” he said.They likewise criticized the government for allegedly failing to hold accountable members of the military involved in the incident.“Wala pa ring malinaw na pagpapanagot doon sa 79th Infantry Battalion na nanguna doon sa masaker, na naglunsad doon sa masaker na nangyari sa Negros. So, tuloy-tuloy iyong aming panawagan ng hustisya,” Estavillo said.

Human rights advocates, progressive groups, and families of the victims gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Monday for a tribute program honoring the 19 individuals killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Human rights advocates, progressive groups, and families of the victims gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Monday for a tribute program honoring the 19 individuals killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Families, rights advocates renew calls for justice during 'Negros 19' tribute

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Families, rights advocates renew calls for justice during 'Negros 19' tribute

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2026 01:18 AM PHT

Read More:

Negros 19

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

Toboso

Negros Occidental

New People’s Army

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