BACOLOD City – Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. defended the legitimacy of recent military operations in Negros Occidental, dismissing allegations that civilians were killed during encounters between government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
During his visit to Negros Occidental on May 23, Teodoro met with provincial officials led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City before proceeding to the headquarters of the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Sagay City and the 15th Infantry Battalion in Cauayan town.
Teodoro stressed that the operations conducted in Toboso and Cauayan were legitimate and properly executed, amid what he described as efforts by communist groups to spread misinformation and discredit the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“There is a lot of misinformation coming out, and I am here to correct that misinformation and misimpression. I am 100 percent sure of the legitimacy, not only in the planning but also in the conduct of the operations in Toboso and Cauayan,” Teodoro said.
The military encounters in Toboso on April 19 resulted in the deaths of 19 alleged NPA members, while a separate operation in Cauayan on May 16 left five rebels dead and another wounded and captured.
Teodoro rejected claims that six of those killed in Toboso were civilians.
“Our soldiers saw that they were armed. What is the source of the claim that they were civilians? The NPA? What credibility can be given to the statements of a terrorist organization?” he said.
He also downplayed paraffin test results showing that only 11 of the 19 fatalities tested positive for gunpowder residue, saying eyewitness accounts from soldiers on the ground carry greater evidentiary weight.
“Direct testimony from actual participants is stronger evidence than hearsay,” he added.
The Defense chief also accused groups alleging human rights violations of using the incidents as propaganda to gain attention and support from foreign sponsors.
“They are using the tragic deaths as propaganda to gain relevance and power,” he said.
During his meeting with provincial officials, Teodoro thanked the Negros Occidental provincial government for its continued support of the AFP and its anti-insurgency campaign.
“This is partnership and cooperation between the Army and the local government,” he said.
He also commended provincial initiatives supporting former rebels and urged remaining insurgents to surrender and return to the fold of the law, assuring them of government assistance through reintegration and livelihood programs.
Teodoro clarified that while peace talks with communist rebels are no longer being pursued, the government remains open to assisting those who choose to abandon armed struggle.
“Our soldiers continue to accept returning rebels with the help of local governments,” he said, noting the province’s strong stance against insurgency.
During his visit to the 79IB headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Teodoro lauded troops for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining peace and security in Northern Negros.
He assured soldiers of the national defense leadership’s full support amid attempts to undermine military credibility through disinformation.
“Just continue doing your job, and we will fight this disinformation,” he told the troops.
Teodoro also maintained that the strength of communist armed groups in Negros Occidental continues to decline, citing increased public cooperation with security forces as a sign of growing rejection of insurgency.
The visit underscored the national government’s continuing anti-insurgency campaign while reinforcing troop morale and strengthening cooperation between the military and local government units in Negros Occidental./PN
