Negros killings

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The Negros killings refer to a series of targeted killings in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental in the Philippines, carried out by unidentified gunmen. Some victims were suspected to be communists or supporters of leftist groups. In late 2018, the government responded by deploying more troops to the islands, but the violence continued.

Key facts and events
- The first recorded extrajudicial killing on Negros Island, according to Defend Negros Movement, was Alexander Ceballos on January 20, 2017. The group says at least 84 people have been killed since 2017.
- October 20, 2018: In Sagay, Negros Occidental, nine sugarcane farmers were killed while eating dinner on a farm. They were members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers. The killing was linked to ongoing land reform conflicts.
- April 22, 2019: Escalante councilor Bernardino “Toto” Patigas was shot and killed by a motorcycle gunman.
- August 18, 2019: Cristal Faith Jastiva, 24, was shot while waiting for a pedicab in Bago.
- June 23, 2020: Jose “Jerry” Catalogo, a member of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Escalante.
- August 17, 2019: Zara Alvarez, a church worker and paralegal, was gunned down in Bacolod.
- December 27, 2018: The Isugan family home in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, was stormed by three armed men; one family member was killed and the house was later burned. A family member linked the motive to their peasant organization ties.
- March 30, 2019: Police and CIDG operations across three Negros Oriental municipalities left 14 dead and 12 arrested. Police said the victims were members of the New People’s Army’s Special Partisan Unit who resisted arrest. Critics called it a massacre. The incident led to the relief of several police officers and calls for an impartial investigation.
- July 2019: A series of killings shook Negros Oriental and nearby areas. Four police officers were killed in an ambush in Ayungon. A lawyer, Anthony Trinidad, was killed in Guihulngan. Guihulngan officials Arthur and Ardale Bayawa were killed in their home, and Barangay Chairman Romeo Alipan was also killed. More killings followed in the days after, with suspects leaving messages in some cases.
- December 2020: Mary Rose Sancelan and her husband were killed by a gunman on a motorcycle in Guihulngan.
- National and local responses: In response to the violence, President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration deployed additional troops, including 300 Special Action Force commandos, to Negros Island. The government, police, and paramilitary groups suggested various causes, including possible NPA involvement, while rights groups and some politicians urged independent investigations. The Communist Party of the Philippines condemned the killings, and human rights organizations called for thorough investigations. The Catholic Church and other religious groups also voiced concerns. Some police officials were removed or reassigned as investigations continued.

Impact and debate
- The killings raised fears about human rights and the safety of farmers, workers, and activists on Negros Island.
- Debates continue over who is behind the attacks and whether anti-insurgency campaigns or other political factors are driving the violence.
- Calls for impartial investigations and protection for civilians remain strong from various rights groups, church leaders, and lawmakers.

Overall, the Negros killings reflect a prolonged period of violence with contested motives and several government and civil society responses, even as the situation on the ground remained tense.