By Devian Bersales and Jahzeel Sarino
QUEZON CITY—Families of the victims and human rights advocates called for a more thorough investigation into the deaths of 19 individuals in Toboso, Negros Occidental, launching the Justice for Negros 19 Campaign Network at the UP Diliman College of Media and Communication Auditorium on June 24.
More than two months after the April 19 incident, campaign members said they are still waiting for action on recommendations to investigate and give public access to documents related to the case.
Ariel Casilao, campaign spokesperson, said several lawmakers already filed resolutions calling for a congressional inquiry into the incident. But no hearing has been conducted so far.
Casilao also revealed that some lawmakers who initially supported the proposal were later allegedly urged not to continue pursuing it.
Among them were Rep. Javi Benitez, who later withdrew his resolution. Rep. Leila de Lima and members of the Makabayan Bloc, meanwhile, continued to support calls for a congressional investigation.
“We call on the leadership of Congress to allow an inquiry with regard to the Toboso 19 incident and not refuse to believe only the narratives of the AFP,” Casilao said.
He urged Congress to proceed with an investigation, saying it could help establish the facts surrounding the incident and address questions that remain unresolved.
Casilao also said families and legal representatives have requested copies of investigation reports and other documents from authorities but have yet to receive them.
Lawyer Kristina Conti of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said an independent investigation remains important because different parties continue to present conflicting accounts of what happened.
She cited findings from an independent National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission conducted in Negros, which gathered testimonies from residents and examined circumstances related to the incident.
According to Conti, investigators should carefully review all available evidence before drawing conclusions.
Another issue raised during the launch was the possible application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Conti said IHL protects civilians as well as individuals considered hors de combat—those who are no longer able to participate in hostilities due to injury, capture, or other circumstances. She said observations gathered during the fact-finding mission suggested that this principle should be examined as part of any inquiry.
Casilao also pointed to footage that he said showed revolutionary leader Roger Fabillar unarmed before his death. He said the footage raises questions that should be further answered by investigators, including whether protections under IHL may have applied.
Family members of the victims likewise appealed for accountability and answers.
Sheila Alano, mother of Alyssa Alano, said the families continue to seek answers about the deaths of their loved ones.
“It is difficult for families who are still grieving while many questions remain unanswered,” she said.
Alano described her daughter as a student leader who wanted to serve others and called for a fair investigation into the incident.
Lisa, mother of Errol Wendel, also appealed to authorities to help return her son’s remains to their family. She said they continue to face difficulties in recovering his body and giving him a proper burial.
“We already lost our child,” she said. “We hope he can finally be brought home.”
The campaign supporters also called for further inquiry into the death of community journalist RJ Ledesma, who was one of the 19 killed. Ledesma was then researching stories about farmers and rural communities in Negros.
They said a formal investigation could help clarify the circumstances surrounding his death and those of the other individuals involved in the incident.
Several academics and human rights advocates who attended the event also expressed support for investigations by Congress and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). They said such inquiries could help examine allegations of possible human rights and humanitarian law violations while providing answers to the families of those who died.
The Justice for Negros 19 Campaign Network said it plans to hold public gatherings, educational discussions, and other activities in the coming months to keep public attention on the case.
