Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has firmly rejected the possibility of resuming peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA), emphasizing the government's focus on suppressing armed groups and reintegrating returning rebels.
Teodoro's Statement on Peace Talks
During a meeting with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Sixth District Representative Mercedes Alvarez at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Teodoro stated: "What we can really do is suppress the armed group. But over and above that, our soldiers are accepting returning rebels with the help of local government."
Rejection of Allegations
Teodoro strongly denied allegations of irregularities in military operations in Toboso and Cauayan, which resulted in casualties among communist group members. He warned against narratives that lend credibility to peace talks with the communist terrorist group.
"They are using the tragic death of these 19 as a propaganda tool for them to gain relevance, power, and maybe they seek the status of legitimacy," he said. "I'm sorry, it's not going to fly."
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights advocates have labeled the Toboso incident a massacre rather than an armed encounter. Among those killed were University of the Philippines-Diliman University Student Council Councilor Alyssa Alano, and two US citizens, Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem.
