𝟮 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵—𝗡𝗧𝗙-𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗔𝗖 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁

April 25, 2026 The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) notes with serious concern the confirmation that a second American national was among those killed in the April 19, 2026 armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, based on reports from the Negros Police.

This brings to two (2) the number of U.S. citizens—Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem—who died in the same incident, a development that highlights the increasing involvement of individuals from outside the Philippines in local armed hostilities.

Information drawn from publicly available records indicates that Lyle Prijoles had been affiliated with Anakbayan-USA since 2012, where he reportedly served in various capacities, prior to his presence in the Philippines.

Reports also indicate that the two American nationals arrived in the country independently toward the end of March 2026 and were believed to have subsequently traveled to Negros Occidental, where they were killed on April 19, 2026.

Our thoughts are with their families, who now face the burden of loss under circumstances that unfolded far from their homes.

The two were among the nineteen (19) New People’s Army (NPA) combatants whose identities have now been established and whose remains have been turned over to their respective families.

These facts point to a disturbing convergence: foreign nationals in a live combat setting, where the risks are immediate and the consequences irreversible.

For Filipinos living overseas, particularly in the United States, this situation calls for heightened awareness and sound judgment.

The presence of two American fatalities in a single encounter should prompt careful reflection on how involvement in certain activities or networks may lead to unintended exposure to dangerous environments.

We encourage Filipino communities abroad to exercise caution in engagements that may extend beyond lawful advocacy and into areas that carry significant personal risk.

Awareness and discernment are essential in ensuring that no member of the community is placed in harm’s way.

With all nineteen (19) NPA combatants now identified and returned to their families, the focus must now turn to preventing similar incidents from happening again.

The government remains committed to its responsibility to maintain peace and order, enforce the law, and safeguard lives wherever possible.

When distance no longer shields our people from danger, awareness becomes our first line of protection.

Usec. Ernesto C. Torres Jr.

Executive Director,

NTF-ELCAC