Philippine journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma killed in army operation
Bangkok, April 30, 2026—The Philippines government must immediately conduct an independent investigation into the killing of community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma and hold any military members responsible for his death accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
On April 19, Ledesma, a writer and editor at the local Padhimutad Negros and former editor-in-chief of the student newspaper Spectrum, was killed during a Philippine Army anti-insurgency operation in Negros Occidental province, in which the military said it killed 19 suspected communist rebels from the New People’s Army in Toboso town, according to multiple news reports.
Ledesma, however, was not present at the initial clash site and was killed in a separate community in nearby Sitio Plariding while reporting on the impact of renewable energy projects, according to a statement from the Altermidya Network, cited in the reports.
Ledesma served as a regional coordinator for the Altermidya Network, a group of local news outlets that report on community issues in marginalized rural areas impacted by the long-running conflict between government forces and the rebels, according to news reports.
“Philippine authorities must conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the killing of journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma and ensure that anyone in the armed forces responsible faces full justice,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Ledesma’s killing must not be another case that perpetuates the cycle of impunity in journalist murders.”
Military spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala defended the operation, saying claims that some of those killed were merely civilians “deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance.” Dema-ala alleged those at the clash site were “armed” and “exchanging fire with soldiers.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed request for comment. CPJ research shows that the Philippines is consistently among the top nations worldwide where media murders go unresolved.