Two Americans Killed Among Suspected Rebels in Philippine Clashes

MANILA, Philippines — Two Americans were among 19 suspected communist guerrillas killed in clashes with Philippine troops in Negros Occidental province on April 19, according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The task force stated that the Americans died alongside 17 other suspected members of the New People's Army during a series of encounters with army forces in the coastal town of Toboso.

The fighting was first reported on Monday.

A task force official identified the two Americans as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. The official said the pair arrived in the Philippines in March and were believed to have traveled to Negros Occidental, where they were killed on April 19. Military officials reported that the clash began when army troops responded to information from villagers about suspected rebels in the area.

A rebel commander with a bounty of 1 million pesos, equivalent to $16,600, was among those killed, and one soldier was wounded. Troops seized 24 firearms at the scene and captured an unspecified number of fleeing guerrillas, the task force said.

rights groups have urged an independent investigation into the clashes. They stated that civilians were killed, including a student leader from the state-run University of the Philippines, two local advocates for farmers' rights, and a local community journalist who aimed to support impoverished villagers.

“We call on the international community to monitor this case closely, as it is not an isolated incident but part of a continuing pattern of International Humanitarian Law violations across the Philippine countryside," the National Union of People's Lawyers said. The U.S. Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The task force reported that all 19 individuals killed have been identified and their remains turned over to families.”