KARAPATAN denounces AFP operations in Negros
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
22 April 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN denounces AFP operations in Negros
KARAPATAN strongly condemns the focused military operations in Negros, resulting in the recent forced evacuation of more than 653 residents from 168 households in Toboso, Negros Occidental and possible massacre and other grave violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law of at least 19 individuals.
On April 20, 2026, residents of Brgy. Salamanca and Brgy. San Jose were forcibly evacuated due to military operations which started on April 19. “We are concerned on the situation and welfare of the residents as patterns of being subjected to grave threats, harassment and other forms of intimidation by the military have been previously documented,” said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay.
These operations also reportedly led to the killing of 19 individuals alleged to be members of the New People’s Army. However, a relative of one of the victims, Roel Sobillo, refuted this claim, asserting that the latter was a farmer who also worked in his uncle’s business in the said communities. As of this writing, the military has yet to identify all the victims.
“Whether they are civilians or combatants, the sheer number of those killed triggers significant questions on the conduct of the operations including use of proportionate force, the steps taken to minimize casualties, and compliance with IHL and human rights. The possibility that the military committed a massacre, including in the context of an armed confrontation, should be investigated,” said Palabay.
“We have long raised serious concerns about the presence and conduct of the military in communities, as this is not the first time we have documented grave violations of International Humanitarian Law. These are the same kinds of gruesome violations we have recently documented in Mindoro,” she added.
KARAPATAN called for an urgent, independent, and impartial investigation into the incident, including the reported killings and the forced displacement of residents.
“The AFP’s expressions of sympathy for the victims’ families ring hollow, much like Marcos Jr.’s National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD), which purports to promote peace but in reality serves as a roadmap for counterinsurgency operations that continue to target civilian communities and to spur the commission of war crimes. Militar sa kanayunan, palayasin!” Palabay said.
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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.