AFP defends counterinsurgency campaign after farmers protest at Camp Aguinaldo

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 19, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Karapatan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has defended its counterinsurgency operations following a protest by farmers and other groups outside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, where demonstrators raised concerns over alleged militarization and human rights violations in rural communities.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military respects the public’s right to free expression and peaceful assembly. She stressed that allegations of militarization and abuses should be assessed based on verified information and evidence.

Padilla added that complaints should go through proper legal channels to establish accountability if violations are proven. The AFP also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public while respecting the Constitution, human rights and the rule of law.

The protest brought together farmers from Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Negros and Central Luzon. They condemned the reported militarization of Indigenous communities and alleged threats against people asserting their land rights.

Demonstrators also called for justice for the 19 people killed in a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, an incident that has drawn calls for an independent investigation.

The military has maintained that the operation was a legitimate engagement against suspected New People’s Army members. However, human rights advocates and other groups have questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths and called for an impartial inquiry into the identities of those killed and the conduct of the operation.

The competing accounts have intensified calls for a transparent investigation to establish what happened and determine whether any violations occurred.