BACOLOD CITY – Human rights groups and peasant organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Warlita Jimenez, a 55-year-old farmer and widow described as a prominent peasant leader, who was shot dead inside her home in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on December 23, 2025. The murder—occurring just days before Christmas—has raised alarms over ongoing violence against rural advocates in the region, amid conflicting narratives from authorities and activists.
Police are probing the case as potentially insurgency-related, noting Jimenez was the widow of a slain alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel. However, groups like Human Rights Advocates Negros and the September 21 Movement portray her as an active member of PAMMACA (a local small farmers and agrarian reform association), rejecting rebel links and pointing to patterns of harassment in militarized areas.
The incident is the third reported insurgency-linked killing in Barangay Camansi in recent weeks, highlighting persistent tensions in Negros Occidental—a historical hotspot for land disputes and counter-insurgency operations.
Advocates demand a thorough, impartial probe to determine motive and perpetrators, warning against quick labeling that could obscure targeted attacks on organizers.
This tragic pre-holiday slaying underscores risks faced by peasant leaders advocating for land rights and rural development—renewing calls for justice and protection in conflict-prone communities.
Incident Snapshot:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Warlita Jimenez, 55, peasant leader |
| Date | December 23, 2025 (late evening) |
| Location | Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental |
| Police Probe | Possible insurgency-related |
| Advocates’ View | Targeted killing of agrarian reform advocate |