The National Democratic Front (NDF)-Central Visayas recently issued a statement to honor and pay respect to the martyrs and heroes of the Toboso 19, who were massacred by the 79th IB in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19. The Toboso 19 consists of 10 Red fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command), including Cebu native Maria Clarita Branzuel Blanco (Ka Sanim/Pat), and nine unarmed individuals.

“We give our highest honors to the victims of the Toboso massacre, especially the Red fighters and all of them who unhesitatingly offered their strength, knowledge, and ability to serve the interests of the oppressed and exploited masses,” NDF-Central Visayas spokesperson Felipe Manggubat stated.

Manggubat said the Toboso martyrs steadfastly served the Filipino people, especially the oppressed and exploited peasants and farm workers of Negros. “We must follow the path they took for the liberation of our country,” he added.

Ka Sanim: Martyr of Central Visayas

Blanco (Ka Sanim), one of the Toboso 19, came from Tabogon, Cebu. She was NPA-Northern Negros political instructor, who served in tandem with commander Roger Fabillar (Ka Tapang), when she was martyred. She came from the petty bourgeoisie class but her parents were peasants. Her father was also a fisherman.

Blanco developed a deep sense of awareness on society’s oppression and exploitation. It began when her family struggled against the Lhuillier land grabbing to defend their lives and livelihood. She gained greater awareness in university on issues of tuition fee hikes and other charges. She graduated with an education degree and obtained a teaching license.

Beyond this, she deepened her understanding of society’s problems through direct engagement with various sectors. She joined urban poor struggles against demolition and rural communities against militarization. In 2008, she became an active member of a human rights defense group in Central Visayas. She also became part of a peasant institution in the region in 2011.

Because she actually experienced and witnessed state violence and peasants’ land grabbing, Blanco decided to join the NPA. Upon entering the army, she set aside family personal matters and even physical limitations with her poor eyesight.

State forces abducted Blanco in 2019 and tried to force her to serve as a military asset inside the movement. They offered her cash as payment and threatened her child’s safety unless she comply. She decided to report the military’s order truthfully to her comrades upon returning to the unit. With the collective’s help, they ensured her child’s safety while Blanco continued serving the people.

Within the army, Blanco greatly contributed to advancing anti-feudal struggles in the countryside, education, and propaganda work. As a political instructor and skilled Red fighter, comrades and masses loved and recognized her for openly helping and seeking help, being strict but fair, patiently listening to the masses’ problems, patiently providing studies, and never backing away from responsibility.

Negrosanon masses take pride in Blanco as their Red fighter, Central Visayas as Cebu’s daughter, and the Filipino people in her heroism. “The firm stand and heroism of the Red fighters inspire the oppressed masses to rise and fight through armed revolution,” Manggubat said.

Manggubat added that the Marcos regime’s attacks will surely fail to stop the people from resisting. “In fact, its fascist brutality sharpens the people’s determination, so the justice and necessity of launching armed revolution can no longer be denied,” he declared.