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Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., September 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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CA confirms Teodoro Appointment

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178055207481920230913-teodoro-gibo-dnd-confirmation-MD-8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Defense Secretary Gilberto &quot;Gibo&quot; Teodoro Jr., September 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called for an investigation into the latest encounter in Negros Occidental that claimed the life of a Philippine Army soldier, while strongly defending military operations against communist rebels in the province.</p><p>“Bumuhos na naman ang salitang ‘imbestigasyon’. Ngayon, may namatay tayong kapatid. Nasa konsensya ng mga nanggugulo, lalo na ng mga nagpapasiklab, ang dugo ng kapatid natin,” Teodoro told troops during his visit to the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.</p><p>“Sinasabi nilang hindi totoo ang pangyayari sa Negros, eh namatayan tayo. Sino ngayon ang sasagot? Ako ngayon ang humihingi ng imbestigasyon dahil may namatay tayong kapatid,” he added.</p><p>Private First Class John Rey Brasil, 29, was fatally shot in the head while leading troops in an operation against suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City on Monday, June 1.</p><p>Based on reports, the individual who killed Brasil was linked to a fatality in the April 19 Toboso encounter, which left 19 individuals dead.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/27/cpp-says-9-fatalities-in-toboso-military-operations-were-noncombatants-1846">Reds say 9 fatalities in Toboso military operations were noncombatants</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/21/11-of-19-toboso-fatalities-tested-positive-for-gunpowder-residue-police-say-1714">11 of 19 Toboso fatalities tested positive for gunpowder residue, police say </a></div><p>After his dialogue with troops at the 4ID, Teodoro visited the wake of Brasil in Sagay City.</p><p>Addressing critics of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Teodoro said the incident underscored the dangers faced by soldiers in the field.</p><p>“Nung nalaman kong nangyari ito, alam na naman natin na galing tayo dito two weeks ago para pabulaanan na ang ating tropa ay pumapaslang ng hindi combatant. Ito patunay na totoo lahat ng sinasabi ng ating mga sundalo,” he said.</p><p>The defense chief also challenged groups questioning AFP operations to face the family of the fallen soldier.</p><p>“Yung mga nagku-kuwestyon sa gawain ng AFP, pananagutan niyo ito. Pananagutan niyo ito. Harapin niyo ang pamilya nito ngayon at sabihin niyong hindi tama ang sakripisyo ng batang ito,” he said.</p><p>“Mag-imbestiga kayo ngayon dito. Harapin ninyo ang pamilya—[kayong] mga nagpoproteksyon sa mga terorista,” he continued.</p><p>Teodoro maintained that military operations are intelligence-driven and target only identified armed insurgents.</p><p>He said government troops had repeatedly given armed rebels opportunities to surrender.</p><p>“Intelligence-driven ang operations ng ating Philippine Army. Kilala namin sino ang tinutugis to the last man. Identified talaga ang tinutugis,” he said. “Yung nangyari sa Toboso, ilang beses binigyan ng tsansa na sumuko, pero lumaban.”</p><p>The defense secretary paid tribute to Brasil, describing him as a dedicated soldier who joined the military at the age of 19 and was preparing for further professional military education.</p><p>Brasil is survived by his 24-year-old wife and their one-year-old child.</p><p>“Nakita niyo naman ang biyuda, one year pa lang silang kasal. Twenty-four years old. Hindi pa ma-handle ng bata yung loss,” Teodoro said.</p><p>Despite the fatality, the official vowed that military operations against communist rebels in Negros Occidental would continue to preserve peace and development in the province.</p><p>“There is no warning. Alam naman nila pwede silang sumuko, pero hindi titigil itong ating mga tropa,” Teodoro said.</p><p>“Sa ating mga Negrense, kung mayroong operations dito, it is to continue para matuloy ang progress at development ng Negros,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/7/-tao-people-fortun-slams-corned-beef-insult-on-toboso-deaths-2023">Fortun slams &#x27;corned beef&#x27; insult on Toboso deaths </a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jk1LZ66oRpU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/syac614cETw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/njj2nQDGtzw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called for an investigation into the latest encounter in Negros Occidental that claimed the life of a Philippine Army soldier, while strongly defending military operations against communist rebels in the province.</p>

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called for an investigation into the latest encounter in Negros Occidental that claimed the life of a Philippine Army soldier, while strongly defending military operations against communist rebels in the province.

Teodoro seeks probe on Negros encounter that killed soldier

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Teodoro seeks probe on Negros encounter that killed soldier

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2026 01:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

communist rebels

Negros Occidental

fallen soldier

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