BREAKING | Kabataan Partylist nominee among 19 killed in Negros encounter

TOBOSO, Negros Occidental — The seventh nominee of Kabataan Partylist during the 2022 midterm elections has been identified as among the casualties in the deadly encounter between government troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Salamanca on April 19, 2026.

Sources confirmed that R.J. Nichole Ledesma y Lacson, 30, a resident of Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, is among the 19 fatalities. Aside from being a nominee of the national democratic-aligned youth partylist, he was also a former chairperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) in Bacolod.

Ledesma was also a former editor-in-chief of The Spectrum, the official student publication of the University of St. La Salle, and a writer for Paghimutad, a Negros-based alternative media outfit.

Reports said the encounter lasted for nearly 10 hours, beginning at around 3:30 a.m. and evolving into a running gun battle across multiple sitios in Toboso and neighboring Escalante City. 

Kontra-Kwento’s sources also indicated that college students and allegedly a foreign national may have been among those killed, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.

Partial List of Identified Casualties

As of latest updates, 10 out of the 19 fatalities have been identified:

1. R.J. Nichole Ledesma y Lacson, 30, resident of Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City

2. Rene Villarin Sr. alias “Kumader Pikot,” 58, resident of Sitio Huwebisan, Brgy. Marcelo, Calatrava

3. Alejandro Montoya,  lias “Kier Junjun,” 33, resident of Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City

4. Roger Fabillar Tapang, alias “Jhong” / “Arnel,” 36, resident of Sitio Malig-on, Brgy. Bandila, Toboso

5. Ruel Sabillo, 19, resident of Sitio Singiton, Brgy. Tabun-ak, Toboso

6. Sonny Boy Caramihan Manayon, 28, resident of Sitio Batbataw, Brgy. Bagonbon, San Carlos City

7. Pedro Bonghanoy y Agustin, 32, resident of Brgy. Libertad, Escalante City

8. Arnel Javoc y Mahilum, 32, resident of Sitio Labay-ao, Brgy. Lalong, Calatrava

9. Jocel Gimang

10. Janebabe Balora

Courtesy of Easy Radio Escalante

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the remaining 9 fatalities.

As of writing, both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have yet to release a consolidated and official list of all casualties.

The encounter has displaced hundreds of civilians in Toboso and nearby areas, with local government units continuing to manage evacuation efforts and provide assistance. 

Clearing operations remain ongoing as authorities secure the area and verify the identities of those killed.