Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, a University of the Philippines Cebu alumna and former student leader, was among the seven alleged rebels killed during a fierce encounter in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, at 5:30 am on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Military officials reported that Supelanas known as alias Dalia in the underground movement, served as a Political Instructor of the Southwest Front of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the 6th district of the province.
UP Cebu’s official student organ, Tug-ani, disclosed that Supelanas actively advocated for education, LGBTQIA+ rights, and democratic freedoms. She joined Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante (NKE), UP Cebu’s official student organization, in 2018.
She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communication and was a well-known transwoman activist and student leader.
Supelanas also served as College Representative to the UP Cebu University Student Council (USC) from 2019 to 2021 and later as Chairperson, where she led campaigns for student welfare and academic freedom, the publication revealed.
Progressive view
Tug-ani also added that Supelanas expanded her activism beyond campus, taking on roles such as coordinator of the National Union of Students of the Philippines Cebu, Secretary General for Membership of KASAMA sa UP, and an executive committee member in reviving Anakbayan UP Cebu.
She also served as the spokesperson for Kabataan Partylist Cebu and earned a nomination as UP Cebu’s 38th Student Regent Nominee.
Various sources revealed that the slain Supelanas led efforts to organize against campus militarization and oppose the Mandatory ROTC, especially during the 2019 Walkout Against State Repression and Fascism.
She volunteered with the Save Our Schools Network Cebu Bakwit School and championed LGBTQIA+ rights, particularly pushing for the passage of the SOGIE Bill.
Supelanas served as Assistant Station Manager at DYUP Sugbo from 2018 to 2019 and anchored youth-focused programs on local radio, including Youth on the March on DYCM 1152 and lPugasan sa Kahanginan on DYHP from 2021 to 2022, Tug-ani added.\
Meanwhile, Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante – NKE UP Cebu, in a statement said, “As her colleagues and her collective, we are nothing short of proud of our comrade. The state can try to demonize what Dee has done for the people’s struggle, but for us who she has worked with and cared for, we will forever sing of her selflessness; truly embodying what it means to serve the people, buhay man ay ialay.”*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.