• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Human rights advocates, church, and community members gathered in front of the Bacolod City public plaza Aug. 19 to mark the fourth month of the Toboso military operation that killed 19 individuals.
Led by #DefendNegros and Manindigan Negros, the lightning protest demanded justice for 19 individuals killed during the 79th Infantry Battalion operation April 19 in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental.
Organizers highlighted that the fatalities included eight civilians, among them journalist RJ Ledesma, UP students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Keil Santuyo, and community researchers Errol Wendel, Kai Sorrem, Lyle Prijoles, Dexter Patajo, and Jolinda Gemina.
“The government poured its counter-insurgency program heavily in Negros in order to weaken our people’s fight for our basic demands. But we will continue to hold fast for life and justice,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Negros spokesperson Danilo Tabura said.
The group called for an immediate pullout of state troops from civilian communities, and urged an independent investigation into alleged International Humanitarian Law violations.
Family members of the victims joined the mobilization, and vowed to sustain their campaign until full accountability is achieved. | TMD
