BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental third district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez has sought an investigation on the recent encounter in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental where 19 New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed.
Benitez has filed House Resolution No. 968 directing the appropriate committee of the House of Representatives to conduct the investigation in aid of legislation.
He said the municipality of Toboso is under the first legislative district of the province but the inquiry aims to establish clear and accurate facts surrounding the incident amid conflicting public narratives.
“The proposed House Inquiry will provide a neutral venue for all parties and give them equal opportunity to present evidence, their version of facts, submit reports, and explain their accounts,” Benitez said.
The resolution seeks to determine if legislative action is necessary to help prevent similar incidents in the future, he added.