• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Human rights advocates and media organizations are mounting a collective call for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to launch an immediate and transparent investigation into the killing of community journalist RJ Ledesma.
Ledesma was among the 19 individuals killed during a military operation conducted by the 79th Infantry Brigade in the municipality of Toboso on April 19.
While the Philippine Army have labeled those killed as combatants, the Human Rights Advocates in Negros (HRAN) and various media networks assert that Ledesma was a non-combatant performing fieldwork at the time of the incident.
The Kabataan Partylist has joined the outcry, with Executive Vice President Hayme Alegre categorically stating that Ledesma was a civilian and not a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Alegre dismissed the military’s claims as fake news, emphasizing Ledesma’s track record as a community journalist and a former 2022 Kabataan partylist nominee.
HRAN urged the Philippine Army to cease its red-tagging and to respect Ledesma’s identity as a non-combatant who dedicated his life to reporting on social injustices.
Supporting the call for accountability, AlterMidya National Coordinator Avon Ang demanded that the Philippine Army be held responsible for providing what they allege is misleading information regarding the encounter.
According to AlterMidya, Ledesma served as their regional coordinator in Negros and was actively documenting the displacement of farming communities and the environmental impacts of renewable energy projects in Northern Negros.
Bayan Negros spokesperson Berlita Ante also dismissed the claims of the Army and noted that Ledesma is a journalist who documented their struggles and always accompanied them during rallies.
Meanwhile, Noli Rosales questioned the legitimacy of a recent encounter after photos surfaced showing a bandolier incorrectly placed on the deceased.
He alleged the scene may have been staged, noting that the equipment was reportedly ‘planted’ and worn backwards.*
