Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has publicly affirmed the legitimacy of military operations conducted by the Philippine Army against the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental. Addressing concerns regarding the conduct of the armed forces, Teodoro emphasized that the operations in the towns of Toboso and Cauayan were carried out within legal parameters, despite circulating misinformation regarding the incidents.
The military encounters involved specific units, notably the 79th Infantry Battalion and the 15th Infantry Battalion. The engagements resulted in significant casualties, with 19 fatalities reported during the April 19 clash in Toboso and five fatalities occurring during the May 16 engagement in Cauayan.