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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
April 28, 2026 | 12:00am
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it has launched an investigation following a violent armed encounter in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental that left at least 19 people dead.
Philstar.com / File
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said it will support the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)’s probe on possible abuses committed during the armed encounter in Negros Occidental, stressing that anyone found guilty will be held liable.
The April 19 clash in Toboso town killed 19 people, including two US citizens.
The Philippine Army said it was a “legitimate armed encounter, not a massacre,” citing the recovery of 24 firearms from the scene.
“According to AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), what happened was a legitimate military operation, and according to what (AFP chief) Gen. (Romeo) Brawner (Jr.) said, they (suspected rebels) were armed,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday.
“So, they will have the Commission on Human Rights investigate the encounter, Malacañang will not stop the probe to find out the truth,” she added.
“President Marcos Jr. will not tolerate abuses, especially under his administration,” Castro stressed.
The CHR has launched an independent probe into the incident, citing “grave concern” over the number of fatalities.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala earlier disputed claims circulating online that the casualties were civilians.
He said troops adhered to international humanitarian law and that allegations should be examined through proper legal processes.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has described all 19 fatalities as combatants belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA).
Castro said Marcos’ marching order to the NTF-ELCAC during their recent meeting at Malacañang was to fight terrorism and communism and these operations should be done in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front said the Marcos administration has escalated bombings and forced evacuations, torture and extrajudicial killings against activists, peasants, workers, indigenous peoples and rural communities.
According to the NDF, the Marcos administration and the United States are using the Balikatan exercises to end the armed revolution.
The Philippine Army yesterday said it is ready to face the CHR’s probe into the clash.
“We are open to investigation, and the evidence will speak for us,” Dema-ala said in a message to reporters.
‘Only 10 NPA’
Refuting the government’s statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines confirmed that only 10 of the 19 people killed in Negros were NPA members.
The CPP, in a statement sent to media yesterday, condemned what it described as “indiscriminate and inordinate” killing of both NPA members and unarmed individuals.
It identified 10 combatants as among the deceased, including NPA Northern Negros Front commander Roger Fabillar.
“We commiserate with the loved ones and comrades of the fallen Red fighters of the NPA. Their deaths weigh heavily on our hearts… We honor the squad of 10 Red fighters of the NPA who fought the fascists to their last breath,” the statement read. — Janvic Mateo, Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas, Pia Lee-Brago
