Civil society organizations in Negros have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the deaths of 19 individuals in a military operation in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, on April 19, 2026, while authorities maintain those killed were members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a joint statement, the groups expressed “profound grief over the tragic deaths of 19 individuals, including two minors aged 15 and 17, and nine alleged civilians/non-combatants,” adding that “this loss of lives inflicts deep wounds not only on families left behind but also on all Negrenses.”
The signatories urged the government to ensure accountability, emphasizing the need for “a credible and transparent investigation to produce and preserve evidence, establish the full truth and ensure accountability.”
They also called on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, stressing that “rules of engagement upheld by all parties… must be clarified… to protect civilians, non-combatants, and ‘hors de combat.’”
At the same time, the groups cautioned against premature judgment and divisive narratives surrounding the incident. “We call on everyone to uphold our shared humanity — to speak of the lives lost with respect, to resist the urge to malign, label, or dehumanize the victims,” the statement read.
Beyond the incident, the organizations pointed to long-standing structural issues in Negros that they said contribute to ongoing conflict, including “poverty; lack of access to land, livelihoods and opportunities; corruption and misgovernance; environmental destruction; systemic inequality; [and] marginalization of rural communities.”
“These conditions have long provided fertile ground for unrest and violence, and continue to fuel the insurgency up to this day,” they added.
The groups also raised concern over the situation of the youth, noting that “many Filipinos, especially the young… confronted by limited opportunities and systemic barriers, can be drawn towards more radical paths, including armed struggle.”
They urged the government to listen to marginalized sectors and create avenues for meaningful participation, saying the state “must create and support pathways where young people can work with communities and actively engage in governance.”
The statement further called on the provincial government and local government units to strengthen peace and development initiatives, particularly in rural areas, through coordinated efforts with civil society.
The organizations also appealed to both the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) to end hostilities and resume peace talks.
“We ask both the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front to end hostilities and resume peace talks to end hostilities in the countryside and resume peace negotiations while we collectively address the root causes of armed conflict,” they said.
Meanwhile, National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro earlier dismissed calls for the possible peace negotiations with the communist rebels.
“The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace, so why should we talk to them? They’re committing crimes, plain and simple. And it’s terrorism,” he said.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.