MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday rejected claims that among those who were killed in the Toboso, Negros Occidental were “civilians.”
“The AFP underscores that the operation was conducted in accordance with established rules of engagement and with full regard for civilian safety," Col. Francel Padilla, AFP spokesman, said in a statement.
“In close coordination with local government units and partner agencies, affected residents were safely evacuated at the height of the encounter and have since returned to their communities. The AFP continues to work hand-in-hand with local authorities to ensure security, stability, and the swift restoration of normalcy,” she added.
The PA confirmed that an armed encounter occurred last April 19 in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental between troops of the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion, under the 303rd Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Northern Negros area.
This resulted in the death of 19 members, including some identified leaders operating in the region. The operation was launched based on verified reports from civilians on the presence of armed elements in the area, the PA said.
The PA’s statement came amid accusations of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command that only a small number of those killed were armed fighters and that some were civilians.
“Among the casualties were local and foreign journalists and human rights advocates who only carried notebooks, cameras, and the grievances of the poor — tools far more threatening to the status quo than any rifle,” the group said.
On Wednesday night, the University of the Philippines Diliman University Student Council said student leader Alyssa Alano was among those killed. The Philippine Army countered this claim by asking the supposed civilians on the purpose of their presence in 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?" Colonel Louie Dema-alas, Philippine Army (PA) spokesman, said in a statement. ‘Yan ang tanong ko sa kanila,” Dema-ala said.
(What were these so-called journalist[s], social workers, faculty members, spokesperson[s] of these progressive groups doing inside an encounter site, holding guns and exchanging fire with government troops? That is my question to them.)
Dema-ala cleared that “the AFP did not hunt people — it responded to the community's own call for protection.”
