Photo credit: National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) is mourning the loss of Julie Alipala, a dedicated journalist, a fearless storyteller, and a staunch advocate for press freedom.

Julie, based in Zamboanga City, spent years covering the complex and often dangerous realities of Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She wasn’t just a reporter—she was a voice for the communities she covered, shedding light on stories that others might have been too afraid to tell.

She wasn’t one to back down, even when the job put her in harm’s way. In 2018, she faced intense online harassment after reporting on the deaths of seven farmers in Sulu who had been accused of being Abu Sayyaf members—claims that their families vehemently denied. But Julie stood by her reporting, as she always did, committed to the truth.

Beyond her work in the field, she was also a mentor. She dedicated time to training and equipping fellow journalists with the skills and knowledge to navigate the challenges of the profession. She believed in the power of a free press and worked tirelessly to protect it.

NUJP remembers Julie not just as a colleague but as a friend and an inspiration. In her honor, they vow to continue the fight for journalists’ rights, safety, and freedom.

Her legacy lives on in the stories she told and the journalists she inspired.