THE Philippine Army on Monday has dismissed as “misleading” claims circulating online regarding the April 19 encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental that resulted in the deaths of 19 alleged members of the New People’s Army.
“The Army recognizes the sensitivity of the incident and respects the right of concerned groups and families to seek clarification. However, any fact-finding effort must be anchored on complete, verified and contextualized facts.” Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
The military rejected the findings embodied in a “National Fact-Finding Mission” report, saying operational records and evidence recovered from the encounter site indicated that those involved were not merely researchers or media workers, but were allegedly active combatants fighting alongside Roger Fabillar, whom the Army described as a rebel leader facing multiple arrest warrants.
The Army specifically named RJ Ledesma, Kai Sorem, Alyssa Alano, Lyle Prijoles, Errol Wendel, and Maureen Santuyo, claiming they were found in the company of armed rebels in an active encampment or were among those who engaged government troops during the encounter.
Military officials also cited statements from local government leaders in Toboso who allegedly noted that some individuals killed did not coordinate with local authorities prior to entering the area.
“While we stand ready to use necessary force to defend innocent civilians from any threat, we continue to call on CTG remnants to abandon their futile armed struggle and to choose the path of peace.” Dema-ala added.
