Veteran journalist Julie S. Alipala writes 30

Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Julie Alipala died on Thursday at the age of 58. 

The Zamboanga City-based journalist covered conflicts in Basilan, Sulu, and the Zamboanga provinces for over two decades, according to her profile at PDI.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) honored its former director as it described her as not just a colleague and a friend, but also “an outspoken defender of press freedom.”

“She did not shy away from covering difficult stories, sometimes at the risk of her own safety both online and offline,” the NUJP said.

“Julie made significant contributions to promoting journalists' welfare and safety, serving as an instructor for numerous training sessions and workshops across the country,” it added.

The NUJP vowed that it will “carry on the work in her honor.”

"Mindanao has lost a vital voice, a masterful storyteller," said Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. in a statement.

"As a former commander of the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City, I personally witnessed Julie's unwavering journalistic discipline. She possessed a rare ability to dissect the root causes of conflict in Mindanao, consistently amplifying the voices of the marginalized."

"Her work went beyond mere reporting; it was a powerful examination of the struggles faced by the vulnerable and the victims of conflict. By illuminating these realities, she empowered decision-makers to refine policies and fostered an environment where the seeds of peace could take hold and flourish," he added.

Based on archives, her last byline was on January 24 wherein she co-reported the ambush staged by Moro Islamic Liberation Front members against government troops in Sumipsip, Basilan. — BAP, GMA Integrated News