A probe is underway into the deadly armed encounters in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead, as Malacañang assured that accountability will be pursued if any wrongdoing is established.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said government forces reported that the operations conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were legitimate and that those involved in the clashes were armed combatants.
She added that the administration will not interfere with the probe, including the independent investigation being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“Of course, everybody who is liable should be held accountable… those who committed abuse should be punished,” Castro said, stressing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not tolerate abuses.
The CHR is investigating the April 19 clashes in Negros Occidental, which left 19 individuals dead, including a University of the Philippines student, a community journalist, and two Filipino-American nationals. A separate incident in Samar on April 17 is also under review.
Meanwhile, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) raised concerns over what it described as a shift in recruitment practices by the New People’s Army (NPA), citing the alleged involvement of minors and foreign nationals.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. said initial findings from police investigations and accounts from relatives suggest that minors aged 16 and 17 were among those present during the Negros clash, with another minor reportedly involved in the Samar incident.
He also cited the alleged involvement of foreign nationals, raising concerns about recruitment beyond local communities.
“These developments suggest increasing pressure on the movement to sustain its ranks,” Torres said.
He urged families, schools, and communities to remain vigilant and prevent young people from being drawn into armed conflict.
Torres stressed that the recruitment and use of minors violate domestic and international laws, including Republic Act No. 11188 (Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act) and Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).
Malacañang reiterated that the government will continue its efforts against insurgency while ensuring operations remain lawful and aligned with governance and development goals.
During a recent executive meeting, the NTF-ELCAC also recommended extending its amnesty program, advancing priority legislation, increasing development funding, and improving coordination in conflict-affected areas.