The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pushed back on claims circulating online that some, if not all, of the 19 suspected communist rebels who died in clashes with soldiers in Negros Occidental on April 19, were innocent civilians.
For Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie G. Dema-ala, the claims that some of those who died were researchers, journalists, student leaders, and social workers should not be taken hook, line and sinker.
“These claims deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance,” said Dema-ala, referring to allegations that the military violated human rights and International Humanitarian Law since those who died at the Taboso town clashes were civilians.
Dema-ala appeared to be reacting to the statement posted by the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) which confirmed that one of those who died was USC Councilor Alyssa Alano.
There were also reports that one of those who died was a community journalist.
In the statement, the UP Diliman USC condemned what it described as the killing of Alano whom it said was an innocent civilian who was in Taboso town for an immersion as part of her research on the alleged land-grabbing and other abuses against local farmers.
It said Alano was the Education and Research Councilor of the USC UP Diliman.
But Dema-ala questioned the claims of the innocence of those who died in the encounter.
For the military official, the basic question on why Alano and other civilians were there in the encounter site and carrying firearms must be answered first, “While any loss of life is deeply concerning and warrants proper investigation, it is also important to address that fundamental question.”
“This is not a trivial detail that can simply be ignored or dismissed. The presence of firearms and active participation in an armed confrontation raises serious doubts about the narrative being pushed online,” he added.
Another report that those who died were trading shots with the soldiers is another important question that also deserves an answer, according to the military.
“We must be careful not to oversimplify complex security incidents or prematurely assign blame without verified facts. Allegations of human rights violations are serious and should be examined through proper legal and institutional processes—not trial by social media,” said Dema-ala.
