• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army rejected claims that some of those killed in an encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental were civilians, including a University of the Philippines student activist and a community journalist.
In a statement on Thursday (April 23), Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said reports circulating on social media identifying the fatalities as researchers, journalists, student leaders, and social workers “deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance.”
In a statement, Dema-ala questioned the presence of individuals identified as civilians at the encounter site.
“Ano ang ginagawa ng mga sinasabi nilang journalist, social workers, faculty members, spokesperson ng mga progresibong grupo sa loob ng encounter site na may mga bitbit na baril at nakikipagbarilan sa ating mga sundalo (What are these so-called journalists, social workers, faculty members, [and] spokespersons of progressive groups doing inside the encounter site carrying guns and shooting at our soldiers)?”.
While any loss of life warrants investigation, the presence of firearms and alleged participation in the armed encounter raises questions about claims circulating online, he added.
Human rights advocates Karapatan and Human Rights Advocates Negros have confirmed the death of RJ Nichole Ledesma, a Kabataan Partylist nominee in the 2022 elections, while UP Diliman also reported the death of councilor Alyssa Alano.
The NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, in a statement, considered those killed in Toboso encounter as “martyrs”, claiming that those are only a small squad of revolutionary fighters led by Roger “Ka Jhong” Fabillar, while the rest were civilians documenting what it claims a peasant activity.
“We must be careful not to oversimplify complex security incidents or prematurely assign blame without verified facts. Allegations of human rights violations are serious and should be examined through proper legal and institutional processes, not trial by social media,” the Philippine Army statement read.
In a separate statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines stressed that the operation was conducted in accordance with established rules of engagement and with full regard for civilian safety.
“In close coordination with local government units and partner agencies, affected residents were safely evacuated at the height of encounter and have since returned to their communities,” it added.
It said that the operation was launched based on verified reports of civilians on the presence of armed elements in the area.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has created a Special Investigation Task Group Toboso to establish the identities of recovered cadavers through forensic examination, documentation and coordination with local government units and relatives of the deceased persons.
A total of eight cadavers have already been released to their respective families, according to PRO-NIR. | GB
