The Sangguniang Bayan of Toboso, Negros Occidental has formally declared the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as persona non grata within the municipality, following the deadly April 19 armed encounter in Barangay Salamanca that claimed 19 lives.
Resolution No. 077, Series of 2026 was unanimously passed during the 32nd Regular Session of the 12th Sangguniang Bayan held at 9:30 a.m. on April 28, 2026 at the SB Session Hall, with Vice Mayor Maria Luisa B. Dela Cruz presiding. The measure also designates the broader Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as unwelcome within Toboso's territorial jurisdiction.
Deadly Salamanca Clash Triggers Council Action
The resolution stems from what the council described as widespread fear, anxiety, and socio-economic disruption caused by the April 19, 2026 armed encounter between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People's Army (NPA) in Sitio Plaringding, also reported as Sinugmawan, Barangay Salamanca.
According to the AFP, the 12-hour firefight began at approximately 4 a.m. and concluded near 3 p.m., following manhunt operations launched by the Army's 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion based in Sagay City. Military officials said troops engaged the group at 3:58 a.m. after receiving verified civilian reports of armed elements in the area, neutralizing 19 individuals and recovering 24 firearms.
The operation was part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the region, with the military maintaining that all fatalities were armed combatants killed during legitimate combat operations.
Municipal Peace Council Recommendation Cited
In justifying the resolution, the Sangguniang Bayan invoked its constitutional mandate to promote peace, order, and public safety. The council specifically cited recommendations from the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) for the local government to formally condemn insurgency-related violence and align with national peace and security efforts.
The resolution characterizes the CPP, NPA, and NDFP as organizations associated with armed insurgency, violence, loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of local development initiatives across the Philippines. The council emphasized the need to protect residents from what it described as terrorist activities that threaten community stability.
High-Value Target Among Fatalities
Among those killed was alleged NPA Northern Negros Front leader Roger "Ka Jhong" Fabillar, who carried a ₱1-million government bounty for his arrest or neutralization. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. previously described the operation as a significant success in the military's campaign against communist insurgency.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has identified all 19 fatalities as NPA combatants, including two United States citizens — Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. According to the task force, both Americans arrived in the Philippines independently in late March 2026 and subsequently traveled to Negros Occidental. Intelligence reports indicate Prijoles had been affiliated with Anakbayan-USA since 2012.
Other fatalities included University of the Philippines students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Keil Santuyo, Paghimutad-Negros writer-editor RJ Nichole Ledesma, and community researcher Errol Wendel, raising questions about their presence in the remote area during the encounter.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
The Philippine Army has consistently maintained that all 19 individuals were armed combatants killed during legitimate military operations. However, the NPA's Apolinario Gatmaitan Command issued an April 23 statement acknowledging that several fatalities were indeed their fighters while claiming others were civilians conducting documentation of peasant activities.
A national fact-finding mission led by the Buklod Kapayapaan Federation Inc., a government-accredited organization of former rebels, conducted an investigation on April 27. The group disputed claims that some fatalities were researchers or journalists, stating no authorized civil society immersion activities were being conducted in the area at the time of the encounter.
Human Rights Investigation Launched
The Commission on Human Rights launched an independent investigation on April 26 amid conflicting accounts regarding the victims' identities. The CHR cited obligations under international humanitarian law requiring military forces to distinguish between combatants and civilians during armed operations.
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed a resolution on April 27 seeking a congressional inquiry into the alleged killing of unarmed civilians. The resolution also calls for a comprehensive review of Memorandum Order No. 32, which the lawmakers linked to increased militarization throughout Negros Island.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza issued a pastoral letter on April 20 mourning the deaths and describing the incident as deeply troubling, calling for prayers and reflection on the ongoing violence affecting communities.
Community Displacement Continues
Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco reported that more than 600 residents from 167 to 168 families in Barangays Salamanca and San Jose remain displaced following the encounter. These families are currently housed in evacuation centers located in local schools while awaiting official Army clearance to return to their homes safely.
The displacement has created additional challenges for the municipality, straining resources and disrupting normal community activities. Local officials are coordinating with military authorities to expedite the clearance process and enable residents to return to their daily lives.
Council Members Unite Behind Resolution
The resolution received unanimous support from all council members present during the session. Signatories include SB Members John Paul B. De La Cruz, Jonel R. Rosa-Ot, Martin John S. Ballesteros, Efren A. Mandajoyan, Jesil Marie C. Bedonia, Ma. Bernadette M. Bartolome, Adriano V. Pañares Jr., and Romeo S. Leyte.
Ex-officio members LnB President Edgar M. Agabon and SKF President Ladislao A. Villanueva II also endorsed the measure, demonstrating broad local government consensus on addressing security concerns in the municipality.
The formal declaration represents Toboso's official stance against communist insurgency and signals the local government's commitment to supporting national counter-terrorism efforts while protecting community welfare and development initiatives.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines