Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima is pushing for an urgent legislative inquiry into a recent encounter involving the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso, Negros Occidental, which resulted in 19 fatalities.
The former senator expressed grave concern over the incident, noting that beyond the legitimacy of the military maneuver, there are troubling allegations of human rights violations.
Among those killed in the operation were University of the Philippines student Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma.
“We must investigate what truly transpired to find clarity and the truth. Maghahain po tayo ng resolusyon sa Kamara para agarang siyasatin at sagutin ang marami nating tanong sa insidenteng ito,” De Lima stated.
De Lima announced her intention to file a formal resolution in the House of Representatives to uncover the facts surrounding the encounter.
She drew parallels between this event and a history of violence in the region, specifically citing the 2018 massacre of nine farmers in Sagay City.
“Nakakabahala ang ganitong mga pangyayari, lalo pa’t marami nang naulat na karahasan sa Negros kung saan kabilang sa mga napapaslang ay mga magsasaka at aktibista, tulad ng sinapit ng siyam na magsasaka sa Sagay City noong 2018,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the military’s role in maintaining national security, the lawmaker emphasized that state operations must remain within the bounds of the law and respect for human life.
“While we support our military’s pursuit of peace and order in the country, we do not tolerate unnecessary violence or flagrant violations of human rights and humanitarian laws. Ang tinitindigan po natin palagi ay ang katotohanan, hustisya at paggalang sa karapatan, dignidad at buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” De Lima added.
De Lima brings a long history of human rights advocacy to the issue, having previously led the Commission on Human Rights and served as the Secretary of the Department of Justice under the administration of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.