Toronto, ON — April 30, 2026 — Filipino peasant leader Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos is touring Canada to expose the worsening conditions faced by farmers in the Philippines and to call for justice following a deadly incident in Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead.
The nationwide tour, organized by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines alongside Filipino community groups, includes stops in Alberta, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Ramos, chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, is using the platform to raise awareness about landlessness, poverty, and mounting human rights violations affecting rural communities.
Focus on “Toboso 19” Killings
Central to Ramos’ visit is the April 19 incident in Toboso, Negros Occidental, where 19 individuals were killed during what authorities said was an armed encounter with the military. However, watchdog groups such as KARAPATAN have challenged this account, alleging that several victims were civilians, including farmers, youth leaders, and journalists.
The case—now widely referred to as the “Toboso 19”—has prompted calls for an independent investigation, with advocates warning of possible violations of international humanitarian law under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Canadian Events and Community Mobilization
Ramos has already addressed audiences in Montreal and Ottawa, including a university forum that drew students and activists into discussions on agrarian reform and militarization. Events featured cultural performances and solidarity actions with victims’ families.
In Toronto, activities will culminate on May 3 with a major gathering organized by BAYAN Canada in partnership with ICHRP and other groups. Ahead of this, youth organization Anakbayan Toronto is holding a vigil outside the Philippine Consulate to condemn the killings and demand accountability.
Ottawa Meetings Raise Policy Concerns
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) Canada held high-level meetings with Canadian officials on April 29–30, 2026, warning of a worsening human rights crisis in the Philippines amid expanding Canada–Philippines military ties.
The delegation included peasant leader Danilo Ramos, chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, alongside Drew Eisenberg-Holmes, Rosie Lucente, and Kelti Cameron. They met with Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, and Alan Bowman, Director General of Global Affairs Canada.
Ramos delivered firsthand testimony on escalating abuses affecting farmers, Indigenous communities, and human rights defenders. He described intensified militarization in rural areas, linking counterinsurgency operations to displacement, harassment, and violence. According to Ramos, these conditions stem from deep-rooted landlessness, poverty, and systemic repression, worsened by foreign military support.
ICHRP Canada submitted a briefing paper raising concerns about Canada’s military assistance and its potential role in human rights violations. The group also highlighted recent violence in Negros Occidental, where at least 19 people were reportedly killed.
While welcoming dialogue with Canadian officials, ICHRP Canada emphasized the need for concrete policy action, stressing that for affected communities, the fight for land, food, and justice is a matter of survival.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
Organizers are urging the Philippine government to halt extrajudicial killings, protect rural farming and indigenous communities, and address longstanding issues such as landlessness and militarization. They are also calling for the termination of military agreements with the United States, including the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which advocacy groups argue contribute to ongoing conflict.
“Filipino farmers continue to face landlessness, poverty, and repression,” Ramos said at the Migrante Quebec it hosted for Ramos in Montreal. “The international community must stand with us in demanding justice for the victims of Negros.”
Advocates stress that beyond dialogue, concrete policy changes are urgently needed, framing the struggle for land, food, and justice as a matter of survival for affected communities.###