Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. labeled the New People’s Army a band of terrorists and criminals, ruling out peace talks with the group. The military continues to defend its April 19 operation that killed 19 NPA rebels and civilians in Toboso, Negros Occidental. The Commission on Human Rights has launched an investigation into the incident.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated yesterday, “No. I object to any peace talks with the NPA.”
He added, “The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace, so why should we talk to them? They’re committing crimes.” Teodoro continued, “They’re committing crimes and it’s terrorism, plain and simple. So to call for peace talks is to elevate the morality of their cause to something legitimate, which I cannot accept.”
The New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is designated a terrorist organization by the Philippine and US governments. Two of those killed in the April 19, 2026 clash in Toboso were American citizens, as confirmed by the US Embassy in Manila, which issued an advisory for its citizens.
The Commission on Human Rights expressed “grave concern” over the high number of fatalities, including a community journalist and a University of the Philippines student, and launched an independent investigation. The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, involved in the encounter, stands ready for scrutiny, backed by Toboso officials who declared NPA members persona non grata.
