MANILA — The government’s anti-insurgency body National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said a reported United States citizen of Filipino descent was among those killed in a military encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The task force expressed condolences while noting that the identity and circumstances surrounding the death are still subject to verification.

“The government’s anti-insurgency task force expresses its highest concern and deepest condolences to the family of the reported American citizen of Filipino descent who was among those killed in the recent armed encounters,” NTF-ELCAC said.

It added that initial information indicated the 40-year-old individual was from California and was reportedly linked to Anakbayan-USA, although it said this still needs validation.

“Full identification and circumstances remain subject to proper verification,” it said.

The statement follows reports of a series of encounters between government troops and alleged members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Salamanca, where the Philippine Army earlier said 19 individuals were killed.

The Philippine Army said the fatalities were suspected members of the armed rebel group.

However, the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command disputed the military account, claiming that only a few of those killed were armed fighters and that some were civilians, including farmer Roel Sabillo and Bacolod-based journalist RJ Ledesma.

The group also said student leader Alyssa Alano from UP Diliman was among the fatalities.

In response, Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said troops from the 79th Infantry Battalion acted professionally and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law during the operation.