The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) confirmed on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that two United States citizens were among those killed in a bloody armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental last week.
Identities of the Victims
In a statement, the NTF-Elcac identified the two US citizen fatalities as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. The task force said their deaths highlight the increasing involvement of individuals from outside the Philippines in local armed hostilities.
“These facts point to a disturbing convergence: foreign nationals in a live combat setting, where the risks are immediate and the consequences irreversible,” the task force said. “The presence of two American fatalities in a single encounter should prompt careful reflection on how involvement in certain activities or networks may lead to unintended exposure to dangerous environments.”
Background of the US Citizens
According to reports, the two American nationals arrived in the country independently toward the end of March 2026 and were believed to have subsequently traveled to Negros Occidental. The NTF-Elcac noted that Prijoles had been affiliated with Anakbayan-USA since 2012, where he reportedly served in various capacities, prior to his presence in the Philippines.
On April 19, 2026, 19 alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in what the military claimed as an armed encounter in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso. Troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion conducted combat operations resulting in the neutralization of 19 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) remnants and the recovery of firearms and war materials following a series of encounters.
Call for Caution
The NTF-Elcac called for Filipinos abroad to increase their awareness and sound judgement in terms of lawful advocacies. “We encourage Filipino communities abroad to exercise caution in engagements that may extend beyond lawful advocacy and into areas that carry significant personal risk,” said NTF-Elcac Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. “Awareness and discernment are essential in ensuring that no member of the community is placed in harm’s way.”
