Justice for Negros 19 campaign network launched amid continuing calls for justice

[KARAPATAN Public Information]

PRESS RELEASE

June 24, 2026

Justice for Negros 19 campaign network launched amid continuing calls for justice

Families of victims, human rights advocates, church people, academics, journalists, artists, and other supporters launched the Justice for Negros 19 Campaign Network on June 24, marking the second month since the killing of 19 persons in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The campaign network was established to support the families of the victims, strengthen calls for justice and accountability, and organize solidarity activities and public campaigns related to the Negros 19 massacre.

The network continues to decry the continued denial of justice for the victims. Rights groups have also criticized the whitewash of State security forces of the massacre, portraying the deaths as the result of a legitimate encounter while focusing public attention on narratives of “recruitment” and “radicalization” instead of the circumstances surrounding the killings.

The network likewise raised the case of peasant organizer Errol Wendel, whose family has yet to recover his remains. Following an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on the remains of some of the victims, it was discovered that the physical description of one of the bodies was not Errol’s. The family has since sought the exhumation of the remains believed to have been misidentified so that Errol’s actual remains may be located and returned to them. Reports indicate that local authorities in Toboso have yet to grant the request.
The network stressed that the families continue to seek truth, justice, and accountability for the victims.

On April 19, 2026, military operations conducted by the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals in Toboso, Negros Occidental. Those killed included community journalist RJ Ledesma, student leader Alyssa Alano, peasant organizers Maureen Santuyo and Errol Wendel, Filipino-American activists Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem, peasant youth Roel Sabillo, and two minors.
The Justice for Negros 19 Campaign Network seeks to sustain public attention on the case, support the victims' families, and press for accountability from state security forces responsible for the killings. The network also aims to counter disinformation surrounding the incident and highlight the continuing human rights situation in Negros.

Among the convenors of the network are UP Diliman Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor, UP College of Media and Communication Dean Diosa Labiste, Atty. Jojo Lacanilao, Prof. Aurelio Agcaoili, Prof. Sol Iglesias, Prof. Danilo Reyes, Fr. Ritchie Salgado, UCCP Bishop Juliet Aguilar, UCCP Rev. Glofie Baluntong, Defend Negros convenor Matty Miguel, Bonifacio Ilagan, Jewel Maranan, Tarantadong Kalbo, Altermidya, and KARAPATAN.

The campaign network pledged to continue pursuing justice for the Negros 19 and to support efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the killings.

Reference: Justice for Negros 19 Campaign Network, through Karapatan Public Information Desk, 09189790580

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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.