MANILA (April 26) – The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) urged Filipinos abroad and foreign nationals to stay vigilant against groups allegedly recruiting individuals to join armed activities against the government.
The warning came after two American nationals were among those killed in a clash between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) remnants in Toboso on April 19. Officials identified them as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem, noting concerns over foreign involvement in local armed conflict.
Authorities said the two entered the country separately in late March and later traveled to Negros Occidental. The task force called the incident “disturbing” and urged overseas Filipinos to exercise caution in engagements that may pose serious risks.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army maintained the encounter was legitimate, rejecting claims that those killed were civilians. It emphasized that troops acted within the bounds of the law and human rights.
The Commission on Human Rights has launched an independent probe, citing conflicting reports on the identities of the casualties and stressing the need to distinguish between combatants and civilians.
