The New People’s Army (NPA)-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command) declared its readiness and determination to continue the people’s war to achieve justice for those massacred in Toboso on April 19 in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental Province. Ten of the dead were Red fighters while nine were unarmed civilians.
The martyrs include NPA-Northern Negros commander Roger Fabillar (Ka Tapang), and its political instructor Maria Clarita Branzuel Blanco (Ka Sanim/Pat). Also killed were squad leader Rene Villarin Sr (Ka During); district Party cadre Genevieve Balora (Ka Raia); medical officer Pedro Bonghanoy (Ka Regen); Sonny Boy Caramihan (Ka Nikki); Arnel Javoc (Ka JR); Joros Caramihan (Ka Bunso); Labskie Purisimia Enustacion (Ka Judy); and Jocel Gimang (Ka John Paul).
NPA-Northern Negros spokesperson Ka Cecil Estrella said the martyrs played a crucial role. As Red fighters of the people’s army, they directly joined peasants in production, held discussions on the rights of the exploited, and provided social services to Negrense communities.
As the Communist Party of the Philippines Northern Negros Committee’s main instrument in advancing the people’s war, the NPA unit helped expand and strengthen mass bases and Party branches. In the committee’s December 2025 report, Party membership grew 30% that year and new branches were formed in broad areas. Membership in secret mass organizations grew nearly 50% while the number of individuals reached by the revolution tripled.
NPA-Northern Negros also doubled the range of its area of operations and launched at least 19 guerrilla offensive and counter-offensive actions. It conducted these operations up to towns near the provincial capital and populated areas.
“We salute every Red fighter who courageously practiced the class oriented and inexhaustible New People’s Army spirit!” Estrella declared. She added that the remaining Red fighters will continue to take action and strengthen themselves to achieve justice for all victims.
Estrella said the martyrs’ death weighs as heavy as Mount Kanlaon and their legacy lives on in every drop of tear, sweat, and blood flowing from the masses. “They are the seeds, water, and sunlight that further nourished the revolutionary victories reaped in Negros Island and the entire country,” he said.
“As the global crisis worsens, the people face ever more dire conditions where their only choice is to take up revolutionary violence to defend themselves and their fellow,” Estrella said. She said this is also why the NPA, founded in Tarlac Province in 1969, took root and expanded nationwide to Negros Island, and persists and thrives.
“Reactionary forces have tried for 57 years to crush the armed resistance but failed to uproot it. Fascist soldiers and their masters can never grasp that the people’s war will surely advance as long as masses remain mired in poverty,” Estrella declared.
Source : https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/npa-northern-negros-vows-to-continue-peoples-war/