Manila: Two Americans were among nineteen suspected communist guerrillas killed in clashes with Philippine troops in a central province earlier this week. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reported that the Americans were killed alongside 17 other suspected New People's Army guerrillas during a series of confrontations with army forces on April 19 in the coastal town of Toboso in Negros Occidental province.

According to Anadolu Agency, the deadly clashes were first reported on Monday. The NTF-ELCAC identified the deceased US nationals as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. The task force noted that Prijoles and Sorem arrived in the Philippines in March 2026.

The task force expressed concern over the involvement of foreign nationals in local armed hostilities, highlighting the implications of the incident and the risks associated with involvement in certain activities or networks. "The presence of two American fatalities in a single encounter should prompt careful reflection on how involvement in certain activities or networks may lead to unintended exposure to dangerous environments," it stated.

The remains of the two Americans have been returned to their families. Both the US and the Philippines have designated the New People's Army as a terrorist organization.