A Mira Mesa man was among 19 people, including two Americans, killed by the Philippine military last month.

Lyle Prijoles was a human rights activist who often traveled to the Philippines.

“He was quiet, but very caring,” said his wife Marienne Cuison, who spoke to NBC 7 from the Philippines.

Cuison says her 40-year-old husband did advocacy work with fishing and underserved communities.

“He was advocating for the Philippine Human Rights Act to be passed. He also would teach others what’s happening here,” Cuison said.

Prijoles grew up Mira Mesa, where his wife says his love for community was born, which helped fuel his desire to advocate for others.

But that advocacy turned deadly last month, on April 19.

Supporters and family say they were doing humanitarian work. The Philippine government says they were part of a group of armed rebels.

“The narrative that it was a conflict or an encounter, I think is a one-sided narrative. so, I actually fully disagree,” said Cuison.

“I know Lyle and that’s not what he was there for,” said former San Francisco State University classmate, Melissa Reyes. “If you know Lyle he’s a Comic-Con nerd and the most gentle and kind person.”

Reyes was among the former classmates, friends and family who mourned Prijoles during a vigil last week at SFSU, where he attended college.

Brandon Lee says he and Prijoles developed their passion for social justice in Asian American Studies classes at SFSU.

He says Prijoles later helped him return to the United States when he was targeted while living in the Philippines.

“Lyle helped organize events to bring me back home. Now I’m doing the same, organizing events to bring him back home and remember Lyle and call for justice for him. “

Prijole’s family set up an online fundraiser to help them bring his remains back to San Diego.

“I would just like people to know more about what he fought for and what he stood for,” said his wife. “And how he would go back to the Philippines really to, integrate and learn more from the, the poorest of the poor and help them in any way he could.”

Cuison is hoping his legacy will inspire others to learn about  what’s happening with the fight for human rights in Negros.