Jayapal Calls for an Independent Investigation into Toboso Killings
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) is calling for an independent, impartial, and credible investigation into the Philippine Army’s recent killing of 19 people in Toboso, Negros Occidental province. Among those killed were U.S. citizen civilians Kai Sorem, a resident of Seattle, and Lyle Prijoles.
“Ms. Sorem, a 26-year-old resident of Seattle committed to advancing the interests of the most marginalized Filipinos, had traveled to Negros in the Philippines earlier this year to learn about and document the conditions of rural Filipino communities. Mr. Prijoles, a resident of Hayward, California, was a human rights activist and advocate for underserved and rural Filipino communities, including farmworkers,” wrote the Members. “We urge the Government of the Philippines to ensure an independent, impartial, and credible investigation into these killings.”
On April 19, 2026, the 79th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division shot and killed 19 people in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, whom the Army has claimed were all New People’s Army combatants. However, reporting indicates that up to nine of those killed were civilians.
The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights is currently investigating the incident. Investigations conducted by the commission have been regularly undermined by a lack of cooperation from security forces, including withholding evidence and intimidating witnesses. In this case, the crime scene was maintained by the Philippine Army unit involved in the killings.
The Toboso killings appear to be a part of a larger crackdown by the Philippine government targeting activists and members of progressive civil society organizations (CSOs). Philippine counter-terrorism laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act and Terrorism Financing Act, are used to prosecute and imprison individuals from CSOs engaged in human rights advocacy, environmental protection, and humanitarian and development work.
The full text of the letter can be read here.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (MD-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Senators Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security, Public Safety & Criminal Justice