Families of 19 killed in Toboso seek justice, dispute AFP account

An armed encounter in a remote village in Toboso, Negros Occidental has sparked conflicting accounts between the military and the families of those killed, after 19 people died in a firefight in Barangay Salamanca in mid-April.

In Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the families of the victims, witnesses, and military officials presented contrasting narratives of the incident.

Jessica Soho flew to Negros to conduct an investigation and talk to both sides, from the military to the bereaved.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintains that all fatalities were members of the New People's Army (NPA), but the relatives of several victims insist that those killed included students, farmers, and a journalist.

The AFP said the operation was based on intelligence reports of NPA presence in the area and targeted an alleged rebel commander.

"Ni-report ng civilians, the presence of this terrorist group, this serial murderer na more than 40 na 'yung pinatay niya sa loob lang ng four years," said Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso of the 79th Infantry Battalion.

["Civilians reported the presence of this terrorist group, this serial murderer who has killed more than 40 people in just four years."]

The military said the firefight lasted several hours and resulted in 19 deaths. It also maintained that those killed were armed and that 24 firearms and other weapons were recovered from the area.

"Naniniwala naman po tayo na civilians are not terrorists, activists are not terrorists, journalists are not terrorists, students are not terrorists," he said.

["We believe that civilians are not terrorists, activists are not terrorists, journalists are not terrorists, [and] students are not terrorists."]

"But the moment na humawak ka ng baril sa spectrum of security natin, ibang usapan na 'yun," he added. "Nakita natin dito, they are armed, and they are with this terrorist group."

["But the moment you take up arms, that is a different matter. As we have seen here, they are armed, and they are with this terrorist group."]

However, families of several victims denied the AFP's account, saying their relatives were not involved in armed conflict.

Rosemarie, the sister of one of the dead named Roel, described him as a farmer.

"Civilian, hindi siya sumali sa NPA," she said. "Siya lang 'yung bunsong kapatid namin na lalaki, tapos nawala pa siya sa amin."

["My brother is a civilian; he did not join the NPA. He was our youngest brother, and then we lost him."]

Meanwhile, Arturo, the father of a 15-year-old victim, said he only learned of his son's death through social media after searching for him for three months.

"Masakit sa akin na ganyan ang nangyari sa anak ko," he said.

["It hurts me that this is what happened to my child."]

"Ando'n na lang siya sa Facebook na patay na, na nasali pala siya sa mga masasama," he added.

["I just saw on Facebook that he was already dead, and that he had apparently gotten mixed up with bad group."] 

Among those reported killed was UP Diliman student leader Alyssa Alano. Her colleagues denied she was armed or involved in combat.

"Hindi miyembro ng NPA si Alyssa Alano," UP student council representative Joaquin Buenaflor said. 

["Alyssa Alano is not a member of the NPA."]

Community journalist RJ Ledesma was also among the dead.

A priest who knew him said: "Siya 'yung nag-e-expose ng mga balita na hindi narinig. Hindi siya combatant."

["He is the one who exposes news that hasn't been heard. He is not a combatant."]

Two Filipino-Americans were also killed, according to their families, who said they were visiting the country to reconnect with their roots.

The Commission on Human Rights has launched an independent investigation into the incident and is reviewing military and police reports. The investigation is also looking into whether civilians were involved or misidentified during the operation. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA News