Metro Manila, Philippines – The United States Embassy in Manila has issued a security alert for its citizens in the country after reports that two Americans were among the 19 that died in the recent reported clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

In the security alert released on Friday, May 1, the US embassy flagged parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar as “areas of heightened concern.”

The embassy warned of “recent intensified operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the New People’s Army (NPA),” identifying them as “designated foreign terrorist organization by the US and Philippine governments.”

“We advise Americans in the Philippines and around the world to abide by local laws and to avoid situations with elevated security risk,” its alert read.

“Anyone in proximity of NPA elements is at grave risk of arrest, injury, or death. Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support,” it added.

The embassy urged its citizens to follow local laws, avoid situations with heightened security risks, not to affiliate with insurgent or terrorist groups, and immediately leave areas where armed individuals not linked to police or military forces are present.

This comes after two US citizens, Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem, were identified among the 19 recorded deaths in a clash at Barangay Salamanca on April 19.

Also among those who were killed in the mission carried out by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso were UP Student Council President Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma.

Two minors were also among the fatalities.

Some lawmakers have expressed concern over the high number of casualties and called for an urgent probe to seek “clarity and the truth” on what happened.

Meanwhile, the AFP has insisted that the operation was a “legitimate military operation” and questioned critics over the presence of alleged civilians at the encounter site.