• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An alumnus of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu killed in an armed encounter in Cauayan, Negros Occidental has been identified by the New People’s Army (NPA) as the secretary of its Southwest Negros Front.
Vince Francis Dingding, 30, also known by his aliases “Poy” and “Moymoy,” was among the five rebels killed during the clash with government troops on May 16.
In a statement, the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command said Dingding joined a tour of duty in 2018 before eventually becoming a full-time Red fighter.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) condemned what it described as the Communist Party of the Philippines’ romanticizing of rebel deaths and allegedly using them as propaganda for recruitment and ideological purposes.
According to the task force, Dingding’s case reflects what it called a recurring pattern involving activists who later joined armed rebel groups.
The NTF-ELCAC also cited previous cases involving former student activists killed in encounters with government troops in Negros Occidental, including Alyssa Alano, Maureen Keil Santuyo, and RJ Ledesma.
They were among 19 individuals killed during the clash in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso on April 19.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on school administrators to be more vigilant in monitoring student activities inside campuses following the deaths of several active and former student activists.
Lacson’s remarks drew criticism from Kabataan Partylist and youth groups, which claimed that such proposals could lead to surveillance, profiling, and alleged red-tagging inside academic institutions.
“That was addressed to the school administration,” the governor said.
Responding to the criticism, Lacson stressed the school administrators have to be aware of activities happening within campuses.
“What is wrong with school administrations knowing what activities are going on among the youth?” he asked “I respect their opinion, but they should also respect other people’s opinions”. | GB
