The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) demands justice for the 19 victims of the Toboso Massacre of 19 April 2026. The incident in the island of Negros in central Philippines was claimed earlier by the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Marcos Jr. government as an armed encounter between state forces and the New People’s Army.
Recent data indicate that it could be a massacre and a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention (12 August 1949) / Protocol II (8 June 1977) and other international humanitarian laws.
Among the reported fatalities were civilians doing research and documentations in the area including: University of the Philippines student council leader Alyssa Alano, alternative media journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, peasant rights researchers Errol Wendel Chen and Maureen Keil Santuyo, a young farmer Roel Sabillo and two Filipino-American human rights defenders Kai Sorem and Lyle Prijoles.
IADL joins the snowballing demands for an independent international investigation as to the possible liability of state forces and the Marcos Jr government.
IADL members and human rights defenders are ready, willing and able to take part in a credible investigation and are open to the filing of legal cases in any fora anywhere for violations of international humanitarian laws.
International Humanitarian Law demands that no harm shall fall on civilians and that the state forces must desist from military operations that would clearly endanger civilians. The number of civilian casualties, coupled with initial forensic data on how several of them were killed, give disturbing signs of potential violations of legal norms. The deaths of hors de combat and non-combatants should also be investigated. This includes the prohibition of torture and murder of captives and the requirement to treat the wounded.
IADL joins the clamor for immediate access be given to fact finding teams and independent investigators in the area by an immediate stop to all military attacks in Negros Island by state forces. The militarization and check points must be lifted and unhampered entry in the area must be allowed. The hundreds of civilians who have been forcibly displaced by the 79th Infantry Battalion in the area should be allowed to return to their homes and their safety and security must be ensured.
We also call on IADL members globally to demand that the Marcos Jr. government should strictly abide by the principles of distinction, proportion, precaution and legality in the ongoing armed conflict in the Philippines and to stop the bombings and military attacks that endanger civilians. #
Reference:
Edre U. Olalia
President
c/o NUPL 3F. Erythrina Bldg.. Matatag cor. Maaralin Street, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines
edreolalia.law4@gmail.com; +639175113373