The families of three victims from the 'Negros 19' incident are advocating for autopsies to clarify the circumstances surrounding their deaths during a military encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, Philippines, on April 19. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is involved in the investigation, particularly focusing on claims that six of the deceased were civilians, which would constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. CHR Commissioner Beda Epres stated that the families want to ascertain where the victims were shot as part of the investigation. Forensic results indicated that 11 out of 19 bodies tested positive for gunpowder residue, suggesting they may have recently fired firearms. However, the Philippine Army insists that all fatalities were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) engaged in a legitimate armed conflict. A national fact-finding mission has contested this, asserting that six of the deceased were civilian advocates, raising concerns about the integrity of the crime scene and the possibility of evidence tampering. The CHR awaits clearance for exhumation to proceed with its forensic investigation.