Philippine Army rejects reported civilian deaths in Negros clash

The Philippine Army on Thursday rejected reports that some of those killed in the “encounter” in Toboso, Negros Occidental were civilians.

“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?” Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala told GMA News Online in a message.

(What were the people they're saying were a journalist, social workers, faculty members, spokesperson of a progressive group doing in the encounter site bearing firearms and shooting it out with government troops?)

“Yan ang tanong ko sa kanila,” he added.

(That's the question you have to ask them.)

On Monday, the Philippine Army reported that 19 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of encounters with government troops in Barangay Salamanca.

Dema-ala maintained that soldiers from the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) acted professionally and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.

“Troops of the 79IB 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 in a separate statement.

“The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] did not hunt people — it responded to the community's own call for protection,” he added.

However, NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command disputed the military’s account, claiming that only a small number of those killed were armed fighters and that some of them were civilians.

“The rest were civilians documenting a peasant activity, standing alongside farmers who are consistently pushed to the margins by land-grabbing and systemic neglect,” it 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,” it added.

The supposed civilians killed in the military operation included local farmer Roel Sabillo and Bacolod-based journalist RJ Ledesma, the rebel group said.

On Wednesday night, the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) said that student leader Alyssa Alano was also among the fatalities in the incident. — RSJ, GMA News