The New People’s Army (NPA)-Negros Island (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command) paid tribute and hailed its seven red fighters who died in an armed encounter with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the morning of April 27 in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. Regional command spokesperson Ka Maoche Legislador said the Kabankalan 7 were killed while fulfilling the “golden duty of persistently advancing the armed struggle, expanding the mass base, and agrarian revolution on the island.”

The seven martyrs are Reniel Locsin Cellon (Ka Randy), Mary Jane Magquilat (Ka Shonie), Charity Amacan (Ka Mayang), Johnrey Mejares (Ka Jai), Glenda Tinio Mejares (Ka Glendyl), Ka Pitong, and Dee Supelanas (Ka Dahlia), a former student of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu. Three of the martyrs were senior citizens and suffered from medical conditions that hindered their mobility.

The NPA unit was conducting a mass education and propaganda campaign in the area. Ka Maoche stated that the Red army’s goal was to raise awareness among citizens about the destructive effects of projects of big comprador bourgeois and landlords, such as large-scale mining, oil palm plantations, and other activities harming livelihoods.

He added that their campaign prioritized advocating for higher wages and benefits for agricultural workers, opposing large-scale mining operations, educating against political dynasties in upcoming elections, and promoting human rights under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The campaign also included opposition to a palm oil plantation project in Candoni, covering barangays Gatuslao, Agboy, and Payauan.

“In this way, their strength and voices unite against abusive powers and wealth,” Ka Maoche said. This, he asserted, was why the Kabankalan 7 embraced sacrifices and offered their lives.

He emphasized that the martyred revolutionaries’ resolve to defend the oppressed and exploited–to achieve rights to land, livelihood, life, and democracy-based peace–formed a solid foundation for the armed revolution’s growth.

“Revolutionaries may be killed, but the revolution will continue,” Ka Maoche emphasize. He asserted that the blood of the Kabankalan 7 would inspire more revolutionaries emerging from the masses to replace them as Red commanders and NPA fighters.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also honored the Kabankalan 7. The Party’s information officer Marco Valbuena stated the seven martyrs would be remembered in history as the people’s noble children and celebrated for their selfless service to the Filipino masses.

“Many will follow their example of bravely embracing a life full of sacrifices and hardships to advance the people’s aspiration for genuine liberation and democracy,” Valbuena said, “Their shining heroism will give inspiration to thousands of peasants and farm workers, workers and youth from Negros and the entire country.

The Party and NPA-Negros Island extended condolences to the families, friends, and comrades of the Kabankalan 7. “Let us turn our grief to further forge revolutionary spirit, as a means to achieve justice for our martyrs,” Valbuena said.