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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Police pray for peace in Mass at encounter site

Police pray for peace in Mass at encounter site

Published May 30, 2026 02:44 pm
PRAYERS for peace and healing are offered on Friday, May 29, in the 40th day of the encounter where 19 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19. (Toboso Municipal Police Station)
PRAYERS for peace and healing are offered on Friday, May 29, in the 40th day of the encounter where 19 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19. (Toboso Municipal Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY – The Toboso Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental prayed for peace and healing of the community on Friday, May 29, following the encounter where 19 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels where killed in Sitio Plarinding, Barangay Salamanca, Toboso on April 19.
Rev. Fr. Police Capt. Alexander Repaso of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) delivered a Mass for the fatalities and blessed the encounter site during the 40th day of the incident.
The Toboso police said the activity aimed to honor the memories of those who lost their lives, strengthen spiritual solidarity among residents, and promote peace, unity, and reconciliation within the community.
The series of encounters last month stemmed from an intelligence-driven information about the presence of armed persons in the area, while pursuing the group of a notorious NPA hitman Roger Fabillar Tapang, who was among the fatalities.
The incident sparked debate over the identities of the fatalities, with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) claiming only 10 as part of the armed struggle, contrary to the military’s claim that all were part of the revolutionary movement.
Tapang’s group was linked to series of liquidations targeting civilians, farmers, and barangay officials who were tagged as “military assets” in northern Negros, particularly Calatrava, Escalante City, and Toboso since 2023.

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NPA Toboso Negros Occidental
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