Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. called for an investigation following the death of a soldier in Negros Occidental, linking the incident to violence in the province in April.

Teodoro issued the statement after a private first class was killed in an encounter on June 1. Initial reports indicated that the suspect behind the killing was connected to one of the individuals slain during a clash in Toboso town in April that left 19 alleged rebels dead.

The defense chief’s remarks also came in response to critics who have questioned the circumstances surrounding the April operation.

“Bumuhos na naman ang salitang imbestigasyon. Ngayon, may namatay tayo, kapatid,” Teodoro said at a Talk to troops event on Wednesday.

“Nasa konsensya at nasa ulo ng mga nanggugulo doon. Lalo na yung mga nagpapasiklab, ang dugo ng kapatid natin, dahil sinasabi nila. Hindi totoo ang pangyayari sa Negros, namatayan tayo.”

Teodoro then challenged critics to take responsibility in light of the latest casualty.

“Sino ngayon ang sasagot? Ako ngayon, humihingi ng imbestigasyon, na may namatayan tayong kapatid,” he said.

Operations in Negros Occidental remain ongoing amid efforts to address insurgency in the region.

Negros Island has long been a hotspot for communist insurgent activity, with periodic clashes between government forces and members of the New People’s Army.