Rights group denounces NYC statement on Negros 19 massacre
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 2026
Reference: Former Rep. Raoul Manuel, KARAPATAN National Council member
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
Rights group denounces NYC statement on Negros 19 massacre
KARAPATAN denounces the recent statement of the National Youth Commission on the Negros 19 massacre, referring to the statement as “a mere rehash of the talking points of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) that desperately attempt to cover up state accountability over the massacre.”
"For almost two months, the Filipino youth haven't heard from the NYC after the military killed civilian youth and even minors in a massacre. Now that the Commission has spoken, it chose to spit on the graves of the young victims," said Raoul Manuel, Karapatan National Council member and former youth representative in Congress. "The Commission casts a blind eye on the testimonials gathered by the National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission, that went to ground zero and heard directly from the residents of Toboso," he added.
By treating as "vulnerable" and "exploited" the youth who go to rural areas and serve impoverished communities, the NYC insults its own constituents who have the agency for critical thinking and those who bravely serve by immersing themselves in oppressed sectors, Manuel added.
“Moreover, the agency is dismissing the legitimate societal bases that lead the youth to consciously tread the path of resistance: the rottenness of the corrupt and puppet state, poor social services that are accessible through patronage or surrender schemes, and rampant human rights violations in the countryside,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the NYC also sweepingly claimed that "service should never mean sacrifice of life" as part of its blind parroting of NTF-ELCAC narratives on armed struggle. NYC should review Philippine history. It should not downplay the significant contributions of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and countless youth who contributed, participated, and led Filipino wars of liberation against foreign occupiers. It fails to recall that many young Filipinos resisted the Marcos Sr. dictatorship despite the risk of being killed or disappeared," Manuel pointed out.
KARAPATAN also rebukes the Commission's move to align with the rabid drive of NTF-ELCAC to allegedly protect the youth from "radicalization" and "future recruitment". “Rather than ensuring the welfare of students and youth, the agency aids state forces in red- and terror-tagging youth groups, putting in danger those it ought to protect. The agency assists in further infringing the right of the youth to associate, express and mobilize in response to unresolved corruption scandals, prevailing impunity, and other pernicious social ills,” Manuel commented.
"If the NYC prefers to be a shield for NTF-ELCAC and bloodthirsty military officials, the rest of the youth strongly differ. The youth won't be minions of the corrupt and murderous government of Marcos Jr.," Manuel ended.
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.