UP Cebu Alumnus Dies in Negros Clash

Why this is here: Friends recalled that Dingding could make a farmer laugh, a testament to his humor and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds.

In Negros Occidental, Philippines, Vince Francis Dingding, a University of the Philippines Cebu alumnus, died during a clash with the 15th Infantry Battalion on May 16. Dingding, also known as “Ka Poy/Moymoy,” was a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and served as secretary of the Southwest Negros Guerilla Front. The military acted on reports from residents, leading to fighting in the hinterlands of Cauayan town.

Dingding previously led student rights campaigns at UP Cebu, opposing tuition programs and advocating for accessible education. He served as a student council vice chairperson in 2015 and participated in movements related to national concerns. Friends remember Dingding for his kindness and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, including farmers and fellow students.

The Philippine Science High School-Central Visayas Campus alumni association expressed condolences and noted the loss highlights ongoing social inequality. The circumstances that led Dingding to join the rebel group remain a subject of ongoing conflict. The community mourns the loss of an advocate for education and social change.