A 26-year old woman from Steilacom, Washington State was the second Filipino-American casualty in the Toboso, Negros Occidental incident that killed 19 people, Anakbayan-USA revealed.
Kai Sorem, a musician and activist, was among those killed in what human rights and church organization organizations described as a “prolonged and indiscriminate firing” by 79th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army troopers that also displaced more than 800 residents.
On Friday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-USA revealed that 40-year old Californian Lyle Prijoles, was killed in what the military claimed was a 12-hour running gunbattle.
Killed with with Sorem and Prijoles were a journalist, a student leader, and two farmers organizers who various church and rights groups disclosed were civilians for various community activities when the military clashed with a small group of New People’s Army (NPA) in a nearby but separate activity.
The NPA earlier said the military encountered a small band of Red guerrillas, denying the other victims were their members.
“We denounce and decry the massacre of our beloved youth activist, Kai Sorem, and the Negros 19,” Anakbayan-USA said in its announcement on Saturday.
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WHAT WENT BEFORE
READ: Fil-Am among 19 killed by soldiers in Toboso
READ: Farmers groups reveal 2 more civilian casualties in Tobogo bloodbath
READ: NPA belies all 19 Toboso casualties were members
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The group described Sorem as a “loving, kind, patient, and attentive to others” person.
“With a shining smile, she was incredibly gentle and kind, driven by her great love for the masses. She was curious to learn about others and help in any way she could,” the group added.
Anakbayan said it was while a Central Washington University student that Sorem witnessed George Floyd’s murder in Washington as well as reports of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s violent war on drugs that she was to become an activist.
She later helped launch Anakbayan South Seattle (ABSS), serving as the chapter’s founding Solidarity Officer, “immersing] herself deeply in the lives of migrant Filipino families, beloved by many in the community.”
In her first immersion trip to the Philippines, Sorem travelled to farmers’ communities in Cebu province, vowing to eventually return “to serve the most oppressed and exploited.”
Anakbayan said it demands immediate and independent investigation into the April 19 and 20 attacks it describes as a “massacre.”
US Embassy-Manila’s website has yet to issue a statement on the death of its two citizens.
The US government reorganized, funded and trained the Philippine Army since 1901. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military are currently engaged in both country’s biggest war games in history. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
