The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday said while among the 19 killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday were small squad of revolutionary fighters, the rest were civilians and human rights advocates.
The Philippine Army reported that 19 members of the NPA were killed in a series of encounters with the 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso.
All of those killed were armed combatants, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, maintained on Thursday.
“If they were civilians why were in the area bearing arms?” he asked.
Dumosmog said so far they have recovered 25 firearms from the encounter sites in Toboso.
They recovered eight low powered firearms and 17 high powered firearms, he said.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also questioned why the civilians were with the NPA during an encounter.
The Communist Party of the Philippines confirmed that UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) councilor Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma, who were among the 19 killed in Toboso, were civilians, the Philippine Collegian said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The CPP confirmed that at least five of the 19 we verified civilians, it said.
Alano and Ledesma were in Toboso for community integration and research regarding the situation of peasants in the area, the Philippine Collegian said.
Ka Maoche Legislador, Apolinario Gatmaitan Command spokesperson, in a press statement said only a small squad of revolutionary fighters led by Roger “Ka Jhong” Fabillar were killed in an encounter in Toboso on Sunday.
“The rest were civilians documenting a peasant activity, standing alongside farmers who are consistently pushed to the margins by land-grabbing and systemic neglect,” he said.
“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”, he added.
Dumosmog said until Thursday no one had claimed the bodies of the two male foreign-looking fatalities so they have no way of determining they are foreigners.
Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesman, said recent claims circulating on social media that those killed in the encounter in Toboso “were merely researchers, journalists, student leaders, and social workers—and that the Philippine Army violated human rights and International Humanitarian Law—deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance.”
While any loss of life is deeply concerning and warrants proper investigation, he said it is also important to address a fundamental question: “Why were they at the encounter site itself, armed, and in a firefight with soldiers?”
This is not a trivial detail that can simply be ignored or dismissed. The presence of firearms and active participation in an armed confrontation raises serious doubts about the narrative being pushed online, Dema-ala said.
“Our troops showed steadfast commitment to their mission and dedication to duty. Their adherence to International Humanitarian Law and utmost respect for human rights stand as a testament to the professionalism and honor that define the Philippine Army soldier,” he said.
“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,” he added.
The NPA claimed the military’s account of the encounter is a study in calculated exaggeration. They were quick to parade a tally of 19 casualties, claiming each was an armed combatant, it said.
The National Democratic Front – Negros (NDF-Negros) on Wednesday called for an independent investigation into the “series of encounters” in Toboso claimed by the Army.
“Even locals are questioning the deaths of farmer Roel Sebillo, cultural worker and journalist of Paghimutad-Negros RJ Nichole Ledesma, and incumbent UP Diliman University Student Council councilor Alyssa Alano,” the NDF said. The Philippine National Police have so far identified eight from Negros Occidental among the 19 dead.
They were identified as:
*Rene Villarin Sr., alias Kumader Pikot, 58, of Sitio Huwebisan, Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava;
*Roger Fabillar Tapang, alias Jhong / Arnel, 36, of Sitio Malig-on, Barangay Bandila, Toboso;
*Ruel Sabillo, 19, off Sitio Singiton, Barangay Tabun-ak, Toboso;
*Sonny Boy Manayon Caramihan, 28, of Sitio Batbataw, Barangay Bagonbon, San Carlos City;
*Pedro Agustin Bonghanoy, 32, of Barangay Libertad, Escalante City; and
* Arnel Mahilum Javoc, 32, t of Sitio Labay-ao, Barangay Lalong, Calatrava.
*Joros Ramos Caramihan , 18 , of Don Salvador Benedicto, and
*A17-year old male minor of Escalante City.*
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