Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Javier Colmenares on Sunday condemned Vice President Sara Duterte for commending the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion following the April 19 operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead—an incident widely described by rights groups as a massacre.
Colmenares, a Negros-native lawyer, said Duterte’s remarks amounted to “glorification of violence” at a time when families and communities are demanding answers.
“Praising a unit amid serious allegations of excessive force and civilian deaths is reckless and dangerous,” Colmenares said. “It sends a signal that killing is the shortcut to medals and public approval, instead of strict accountability and respect for rights and international humanitarian law.”
“Pinupuri ni VP Duterte ang pagpatay—ganyan ang estilo ng mga Duterte. Basta may bangkay, may papuri. Dapat manaig ang imbestigasyon at pananagutan, hindi ang pagdiriwang ng dugo,” he added.
Call for independent probe
Colmenares stressed that transparency is critical, especially after reports identified some of the fatalities as a University of the Philippines student leader, a journalist, and peasant advocates.
“This is exactly why an independent investigation is necessary,” he said. “The public is being asked to accept a one-sided account while families, schools, and communities identify victims as civilians engaged in community work, field reporting, and advocacy.”
Bayan Muna reiterated its demand for a probe by the Commission on Human Rights and urged Congress—particularly the House Committee on Human Rights—to summon commanders and produce after-action reports and operational orders.
Warning against red-tagging
Colmenares also cautioned against red-tagging students, journalists, and advocates in Negros, saying such vilification “creates an environment where abuses become easier to justify.”
“Accountability must not stop at the trigger,” he said. “Those who planned, ordered, and covered up unlawful actions must also be held responsible.” # (ZIA LUNA)
