Former UP Cebu student leader Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, a trans woman activist, was among the seven killed in an encounter in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City on April 27. The Army's 3rd Infantry Division released that Supelanas is a political instructor for the NPA in Negros Occidental, known in the underground movement as “Dalia”.
Other fatalities were Reniel Locsin Cellon, Mary Jane Maguilat, Charity Amacan, Jhonrey Mejares, Glenda Tinio Mejares, and a man identified only as Pitong. Their remains were brought to a mortuary in Barangay Hilamunan after clearing operations.
Supelanas is respected by his peers for his activism and student leadership. He was the University Student Council Chairperson at UP Cebu from 2019-2021, and is also active in student alliances such as Anakbayan UP Cebu and National Union of Students of the Philippines Cebu.
The military has linked the said group to NPA’s extortion activities to solicit money from candidates in rebel-influenced areas. Brigadier General Michael Samson said the deaths of the NPA members were a severe blow to the rebel group and they would continue to hunt them down.
