‘Amazona’ killed in Binalbagan ‘brainwashed’

From Panay News (Jul 12, 2022): ‘Amazona’ killed in Binalbagan ‘brainwashed’ (BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA)

A female rebel killed in last week’s encounter with government troops in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental was brainwashed by the New People’s Army (NPA), according to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

The 3ID spokesperson, Army Captain Kim Apitong, said 26-year-old Nika Ledesma – also known by her aliases “Sara Jane” and “Chai” – was a Journalism graduate from the University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu.

She came from a well-off family, her parents were doctors, and she previously worked for DYSS Super Radyo-Cebu, a radio station owned by GMA Network, said Apitong.

However, Ledesma left her job and joined militant groups Anak Bayan, Kadamay and Gabriela, according to Apitong, citing information from Ledesma’s parents.

Ledesma regularly joined rallies back in college and the Army believed she was “brainwashed”.

In February of this year, according to the 3ID spokesperson, Ledesma told their house help she was going to Manila to join a protest rally, however, she failed to return home and could no longer be contacted.

In March of this year, Ledesma’s presence in Negros Island was monitored. The Army believed she had joined the NPA’s Central Negros Front.

Ledesma, along with three others identified Roel Sagon, Rowel Udtuhan and Alden Rodriguez, were killed in a gun battle with elements of the 94th Infantry Battalion and the Negros Occidental Police Mobile Force Company on July 6 in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan.

The rebels encountered in Binalbagan were the ones involved in the ambush of a patrol car of the Binalbagan municipal police station in February of this year.

https://www.panaynews.net/amazona-killed-in-binalbagan-brainwashed/