Relatives, friends, students, and human rights defenders gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City on June 24 to launch the Justice for Negros 19 Network. The organization aims to sustain the campaign for truth, accountability, and justice for the Negros 19 the Armed Forces of the Philippines massacred on April 19 in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The massacre killed nine unarmed individuals and 10 New People’s Army (NPA) Red fighters. The unarmed are Altermidya journalist R.J. Nichole Ledesma; UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) leader Alyssa Alano; National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates-Youth member Maureen Keil Santuyo; Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura organizer Errol Wendel; Lyle Prijoles, Filipino-American leader of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines; Kai Sorem, Filipino-American organizer of Anakbayan in the US; young peasant Roel Sabillo; and two minors (15 and 17 years old) from Toboso and Calatrava.

Also included is the squad of ten Red fighters of the NPA-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command): NPA-Northern Negros commander Roger Fabillar (Ka Tapang); political instructor Maria Clarita Branzuel Blanco (Ka Sanim/Pat); squad leader Rene Villarin Sr (Ka During); district Party cadre Genevieve Balora (Ka Raia); medical officer Pedro Bonghanoy (Ka Regen); Sonny Boy Caramihan (Ka Nikki); Arnel Javoc (Ka JR); Joros Caramihan (Ka Bunso); Labskie Purisimia Enustacion (Ka Judy); and Jocel Gimang (Ka John Paul).

Defend Negros Network spokesperson Ayik Casilao said that the 3rd ID continues to spread its lies and narrative about what happened more than two months after April 19. He said AFP statements contradict the findings of the National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission (NFFSM) on May 14 that a massacre took place, nine of the victims were civilians, and the AFP committed multi-layered violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

He added that the Marcos government remains silent and does nothing despite these. The Philippine National Police further obstructs the search for truth by refusing to provide investigation documents even to the Commission on Human Rights. The AFP is also attempting to block the proposed hearings and investigation on the Negros 19 massacre in the House of Representatives.

Alyssa’s mother Shiela Alano also spoke at the network’s launch. “We think about how to attain justice for our loved ones every single day. We must not allow [the AFP] to keep on killing,” Shiela said.

With her call for justice for her daughter Alyssa, she also called on the local government of Negros Occidental to return the remains of Errol Wendel to his family. Errol’s remains have not been returned because the local government and military handed over the wrong body to his relatives.

Reports say the local government still does not allow the exhumation of Errol’s body, believed to be buried in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental. Local officials claim Department of Health policy requires three years to pass before a body can be exhumed. Groups insist the situation warrants humanitarian consideration, especially since military and government caused the error.

Atty. Kristina Conti of the National Union of People’s Lawyers stressed at the gathering that many must be held accountable for the massacre for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. She also explained the evidence and testimonies gathered by the NFFSM in Toboso.

Concluding the program, UP Diliman USC Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor read the points of unity to achieve justice for the Negros 19. These include launching various activities in the future to sustain efforts and constantly remember the Negros 19. Buenaflor announced plans for a theater production, forums, hearings and investigations, and the network’s return to Negros in August to mark the week of international humanitarian law.