Family Rejects ‘Hero’ Narrative, Slams Leftist Exploitation of Jerlyn Rose Doydora

January 08, 2026

“They call her a hero—her family says she was a victim”.

The family of Jerlyn Rose Doydora, a young student who died after being drawn into underground activities linked to Kabataan Party-list in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, has broken its silence—firmly rejecting attempts to portray her as a “hero” and asserting that she was instead a victim of deception, manipulation, and terror-grooming.

In a FAQCheck press conference on Wednesday, Anabelle Sabado, National Secretary of Hands Off Our Children Movement (HOOCM) Inc., conveyed the family’s position and their growing alarm over what they described as the systematic exploitation of Jerlyn’s death by leftist groups.

“The family is grieving—but they are also deeply angered,” Sabado said in the vernacular. “They categorically reject the lies being spread about Jerlyn. She was not a revolutionary hero. She was a victim—of manipulation, deceit, and ideological grooming. They demand that these groups stop exploiting her memory,” she stressed.

Fearing further exploitation, Sabado said the family made the painful decision to have Jerlyn’s remains hastily cremated. In what they described as a final act of protection and closure, her ashes were later scattered at sea—specifically to prevent any further attempts to politicize or exploit her remains.

Sabado revealed that the family was completely unaware that Jerlyn had already been designated as general secretary of Kabataan Party-list—a fact they only learned after her death. This disclosure, she said, compounded the family’s shock and grief.

According to Sabado, Jerlyn’s radicalization happened with alarming speed. She was reportedly seen attending a rally in September, and by December, she was already in the hinterlands. The family described this rapid descent as wholly inconsistent with who Jerlyn was—a devout churchgoer, a kind and gentle person, and a student of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

“The Jerlyn they knew is worlds apart from the image now being forced upon the public. That is why they are outraged by attempts to romanticize her death," she added.

The family also condemned what they described as intrusive and predatory efforts to extract information, photos, and personal details about Jerlyn— including an incident involving individuals allegedly posing as medical mission volunteers. These acts, the family said, were deeply disrespectful and crossed moral boundaries.

The circumstances of Jerlyn’s death trace back to early January 2026, during military operations conducted by the 203rd Infantry Brigade in Sitio Mamara, Abra de Ilog town, following intelligence reports of an armed group’s presence.

Multiple encounters occurred beginning January 1, during which two government troops were injured.

Col. Michael T. Aquino, spokesperson of the 2nd Infantry Division, confirmed that Jerlyn’s remains were recovered on January 2 during pursuit operations. He also disclosed reports that members of Karapatan attempted to enter the area between January 4 and 5 but were denied access by local authorities due to prevailing security risks.

Addressing claims that authorities were hiding Jerlyn’s body, Sabado categorically denied these allegations.

“Hindi po ito tinatago,” she said. “Ito po ay malinaw na kahilingan ng pamilya—para makapagluksa sila ng tahimik. Ngunit hindi na nga natuloy ang isa pang gabi ng pagluksa dahil may mga pilit na lumalapit at umaalam sa pamilya.”

Sabado said the family is currently preparing an official statement to fully express their side and reclaim Jerlyn’s narrative.

“They are determined to honor Jerlyn with truth, dignity, and peace,” she said. “They will no longer allow unauthorized access, inquiries, or the continued distortion of her memory.”

The family’s message, Sabado stressed, is simple and resolute: Jerlyn Rose Doydora was not a symbol to be used—but a young life that was lost, and a warning that must be heeded.