‎The National Democratic Front-Negros Island (NDF-Negros Island) staunchly calls on the public, mass media, the church, and human rights defenders, people’s organizations and others to launch an independent investigation regarding what the 303rd Infantry Brigade frames as’a series of encounters’in Toboso, Negros Occidental last April 19. The incident claimed 19 lives while around 653 residents from 138 households have also been forcibly evacuated in Barangays San Jose and Salamanca.

‎Aside from the military’s claims, there are conflicting reports that mention a strafing incident in a farmer’s hut in Sitio Plarinding, Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, far from the initial encounter site in Sitio Sinugmawan of the same barangay.

‎The day-long media blackout after the incident with the excuse of clearing and hot pursuit operations, the number of casualties and the differing reports of ‘recovered firearms’ (from 7 to 9 and then more than 20), and the delayed and varying statements all suggest possible human rights violations and foul play, given the sinister and dishonest nature of the AFP.

‎Even locals are questioning the deaths of farmer Roel Sebillo, cultural worker and journalist of Paghimutad-Negros RJ Nichole Ledesma, and incumbent UP Diliman University Student Council councilor Alyssa Alano. Initial investigations reveal that Ledesma and Alano were conducting fieldwork and immersion in Sitio Plarinding and Sebillo was last seen working in his uncle’s farm the day before.

‎There are also reports of unclaimed bodies in Shekainah Funeral Homes in Escalante City, including those of 2 foreign nationals.

‎NDF-Negros calls on the aforementioned sectors and other organizations to conduct independent investigations and fact-finding missions to uncover the truth behind what transpired on April 19. The forced evacuation, and reports on human rights violations must be impartially delved into, to heed the calls for justice of the victims and their families.