UP Cebu alumnus Vince Dingding fought to end contractualization
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Vince Francis “Ding” Dingding, a University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu graduate and labor organizer, devoted his life to fighting contractualization and advocating for workers’ rights, according to the Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo–Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo–KMU).
The labor group also called for an investigation into possible violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) after Dingding was killed, along with four others, during armed encounters in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on May 16, 2026.
From Worker to Advocate
According to AMA Sugbo-KMU, Dingding began his career as a business process outsourcing (BPO) programmer. The labor group shared that Dingding quickly faced low wages and temporary work.
READ: Vince ‘Ding’ Dingding: Former student leader and advocate remembered
Because of this, he became deeply involved in labor organizing. He helped unions negotiate Collective Bargaining Agreements and supported campaigns to regularize contractual workers in Cebu.
“Bitbiton na ni Ding sauna iyang mga kaubang estudyante aron makighamamat namo ug makahibaw unsaon sila makasuporta sa among mga pakigbisog,” said AMA Sugbo-KMU Chairperson Jaime Paglinawan in their press release.
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(Ding would bring his fellow students to meet us and see how they could support our cause.)
Paglinawan also recalled Dingding’s work drafting press releases, designing flyers, and mobilizing public support.
READ: Vince Dingding: Reported move of his remains alarms Karapatan CV
“Dako gyud to og tampo sa pagpalanog sa among mga isyu ug demanda ngadto sa media ug publiko,” he said.
(His work greatly contributed to raising awareness of our issues and demands to the media and the public.)
Encounter in Cauayan and Call for Justice
According to military reports, Dingding—identified as Francis Vince Dingding y Yncierto of Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City—was among five individuals killed during operations conducted by the 15th Infantry Battalion against the New People’s Army in Cauayan.
The clashes reportedly occurred in Barangays Abaca, Poblacion, and Man-uling. Local residents reportedly helped authorities locate the alleged fighters.
A report from a student publication in UP Cebu, Tug-ani, Dingding and the others were confirmed by the Communist Party of the Philippines as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The reports also called for an investigation into possible IHL violations, particularly regarding the treatment of people no longer able to fight.
“Para namong mga mamumuo, dili lisod sabton ang desisyon ni Ding nga mag NPA,” Paglinawan said, according to AMA Sugbo-KMU.
(For us workers, it is not difficult to understand Ding’s decision to join the NPA.)
“Bisan sa kasaysayan, ang founder sa NPA kanhing mamumuo sa umahan. Tungod ni kay adlaw-adlaw nga kasinatian sa usa ka mamumuo ang kalisdanan, pagpahimulos, ug pagpanglupig.”
(Even in history, the founder of the NPA was a former farm worker. This is because hardship, exploitation, and oppression are daily experiences for workers.)
According to AMA Sugbo-KMU, Dingding’s life reflected his commitment to ending labor exploitation, empowering workers, and advocating for justice.
The group also reiterated calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the Cauayan incident to uphold labor and human rights.
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