Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. lauded troops for its “successful” April 19 operation against communist rebels in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead even as a human rights group renewed calls for an independent probe into what it claimed was a “massacre.”

The military said the operation targeted Roger Fabillar, whom it identified as a hard-to-track NPA operative allegedly assigned to conduct special missions for the now-defunct Northern Negros Front. He was killed in the operation, ending four years of manhunt operations by the authorities.

Brawner visited the Visayas Command (Viscom) in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City on Friday, April 24, where he personally commended soldiers involved in the operation that led to the neutralization of 19 alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The military chief said 24 firearms were also seized from the rebels during the operation in Barangay Salamanca, “significantly” weakening rebel operations in northern Negros.

In his speech, Brawner lauded the troops for their “professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to the mission.”

He emphasized that the success of the operation “reflects the AFP’s sustained efforts to ensure peace and security while upholding the highest standards of discipline and respect for human rights.”

“The incident in Toboso was a legitimate, intelligence-driven operation to protect the communities from the threat and intimidation of communist NPA terrorist elements in the area,” he said.

“It was conducted in accordance with the rule of law, rules of engagement, and International Humanitarian Law, with civilian safety as a top priority,” he added.

However, rights group Karapatan accused the government of carrying out “war crimes” in Negros Occidental, citing reports that some of those killed were civilians.

The group said among those killed were farmer Roel Sabillo, community journalist and youth leader RJ Ledesma, University of the Philippines student leader Alyssa Alano, young peasant organizer Maureen Keil Santuyo, and cultural worker and peasant organizer Errol Wendel.

“Whether they are civilians or combatants, the sheer number of those killed triggers significant questions and conclusions on the conduct of the AFP operations,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.

“The possibility that the military committed a massacre, a war crime, including in the context of an armed confrontation, should be investigated,” she added.

Meanwhile, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) expressed concern and extended condolences to the family of a reported American citizen of Filipino descent who was killed in the operation.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said the identity of the 40-year-old individual, reportedly from California, has yet to be fully verified although initial information suggested a possible link to Anakbayan-USA.

Military-run online news platform Kalinaw News identified the fatality as Lyle Prijales.

The task force said the presence of a foreign national in the encounter raises concerns about alleged recruitment efforts targeting members of the Filipino diaspora. It warned of “deceptive tactics” that could draw individuals into armed conflict.

“This is not solidarity—it is exploitation. It is the dangerous packaging of violence as a cause, of armed struggle as purpose, and of death as sacrifice for a promised victory that has remained elusive for nearly six decades,” Torres said.

Meanwhile, the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) launched a humanitarian initiative to assist families of individuals killed in the recent armed encounter.

In a statement, the military said the effort aims to support the dignified return and burial of the 19 slain during the clashes.

According to 3ID, the initiative focused on ensuring that the remains are handled with respect and are promptly returned to their families. It also includes providing logistical assistance to facilitate proper burial arrangements in accordance with the families’ cultural and religious practices.