A Bacolod-based journalist has been identified as among the 19 people killed in what the military described as an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19.
Independent sources, who requested anonymity, told Brigada News FM Philippines on Wednesday, April 22, that journalist and cultural worker RJ Ledesma was among those killed in a 12-hour firefight between the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and the NPA, reportedly led by fugitive rebel Roger Fabillar, alias “Tapang.”
Fabillar, along with Rene Villarin Sr., Glenmar Bacusmo, Pedro Bunghanoy, and an individual known by the alias “Panes,” were killed and identified as leaders of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front (NNF).
However, sources said Ledesma—along with an alleged foreign national, reportedly a Dutch citizen—was engaged in peasant-related activities in a separate community, far from Sitio Sinugmawan, where the initial clash broke out early that morning.
According to the sources, the encounter later turned into a running gun battle that spilled into another area in Sitio Plarinding, where more individuals suspected of being rebels were also killed.
Ledesma writes for Paghimutad, an alternative media outlet based in the province, and a member of the Altermidya Network. He was also the seventh nominee of the Kabataan Partylist in the 2022 elections. Renowned for his vocal advocacy on grassroots issues, he has remained active in community work.
On February 25, he spoke at Silliman University in Dumaguete City about the proposed billion-peso palm oil project in Candoni town, addressing concerns about human rights and environmental impacts in the region.
Sources have reported that Ledesma was killed alongside other cultural workers, one of whom was allegedly a Dutch national.
Among those who were slain were alleged peasant workers, including Janebabe Balora, the sister of peasant organizer Harlyn Balora, who was arrested in Isabela town in 2022 for allegedly possessing firearms, ammunition, and explosives illegally.
Earlier, military officials said ‘no foreign nationals’ were among those killed.
To date, only 10 names have been publicly announced, including 19-year-old Roel Sabello, Sonny Boy Caramihan, and Jocel Gimang, while the identities of the other victims remain undisclosed.
The military repeatedly said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is responsible for releasing the identities of those killed, citing a lack of authority to disclose such information.
However, the PNP has since pointed back to the military as the agency responsible for releasing the details.*
