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In a statement, the media network identified the fatality as RJ Nichole Ledesma, a writer and editor of Paghimutad-Negros and regional coordinator of Altermidya in Negros Island.
“RJ was a community journalist, editor, and poet. He served as editor-in-chief of Spectrum, the student publication of the University of St. La Salle–Bacolod, where he took a degree in Psychology,” Altermidya said.
“Since 2020, he led Paghimutad Negros, an alternative media outfit focused on human rights reporting and grassroots storytelling. He later joined Altermidya as regional coordinator for Negros Island,” it added.
Altermidya said that during the military operation, Ledesma was in the area conducting community work and immersion reporting on the effects of renewable energy projects on farmer communities.
Citing information from Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN), Altermidya said Ledesma was not at the initial clash site in Sitio Sinugmawan.
“HRAN said RJ was not in the initial clash site in Sitio Sinugmawan. According to the group, he was instead attacked in a separate peasant community in Sitio Plariding during an ensuing military pursuit operation,” Altermidya said.
According to Altermidya, Paghimutad-Negros had long been subjected to red-tagging and vilification, including a 2022 social media post by a military unit linking one of its reports to communist groups.
‘Encounter’
The Philippine Army on Thursday, meanwhile, rejected reports that some of those killed in the “encounter” in Negros Occidental were civilians.
“What are these so-called journalists, social workers, faculty members, spokespersons of progressive groups doing inside the encounter site carrying guns and shooting at our soldiers?” a Philippine Army spokesperson told GMA News Online in a message.
“That’s my question to them,” he added.
The spokesperson maintained that soldiers from the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) acted professionally and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
“Troops of the 79IB showed steadfast commitment to their mission and dedication to duty. Their adherence to International Humanitarian Law and utmost respect for human rights stand as a testament to the professionalism and honor that define the Philippine Army soldier,” he said in a separate statement.
“The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] did not hunt people — it responded to the community’s own call for protection,” he added.
19 killed
The Philippine Army on Monday reported 19 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of encounters with government troops in Barangay Salamanca.
On Wednesday, the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) said that a student from the school was also among the 19 killed in the incident.
The UP Diliman USC said the student leader, Alyssa Alano, was its Education and Research councilor.
University of St. La Salle–Bacolod
The University of St. La Salle–Bacolod is a private Catholic coeducational institution in Bacolod City, Philippines, founded by the De La Salle Brothers in 1952. It began as a primary and secondary school before expanding into a university, and it is known for its commitment to academic excellence and Lasallian values of faith, service, and community. The university played a significant role in the educational development of Negros Occidental and continues to be a prominent center for learning in the region.
Sitio Sinugmawan
Sitio Sinugmawan is a cultural and historical site in the Philippines, known for its significance to the indigenous Agta people. The name “Sinugmawan” refers to a traditional settlement or meeting place, reflecting the community’s deep-rooted connection to the land and their ancestral heritage. The site preserves the history and practices of the Agta, who have lived in the region for centuries, maintaining their unique customs and way of life.
Sitio Plariding
Sitio Plariding is a historic site located in the municipality of San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. It is known as the location of the “Battle of Plariding,” a significant skirmish during the Philippine-American War in 1900, where Filipino forces under General Miguel Malvar fought against American troops. Today, the site serves as a reminder of local resistance and is often visited for its historical importance and scenic views.
79th Infantry Battalion
The 79th Infantry Battalion is a military unit of the Philippine Army, primarily composed of soldiers from the Visayas region. It was activated in 2008 and has been actively involved in counter-insurgency operations against communist rebels and local terrorist groups in the central Philippines. The battalion is known for its community engagement programs and efforts to maintain peace and security in its area of responsibility.
Barangay Salamanca
Barangay Salamanca is a coastal village in the municipality of Oslob, Cebu, Philippines, known for its rich fishing grounds and the nearby Sumilon Island sandbar. Historically, the area was part of the vast agricultural and fishing estates managed by Spanish-era landowners, and it later became a key site during the American colonial period due to its proximity to the Oslob whaling and trading routes. Today, it is a quiet community that attracts visitors for its serene beaches and as a gateway to the protected Sumilon Island marine sanctuary.
UP Diliman University Student Council
The UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) is the highest student government body at the University of the Philippines Diliman, representing the student body in academic and administrative matters. Established in the 1960s, it has a rich history of student activism, particularly during the Martial Law era, when it played a key role in resisting authoritarian rule. Today, the USC continues to advocate for student rights, academic freedom, and social justice.
