Bayan Muna party-list Representative Eufemia Cullamat urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the alleged “desecration” of Jevilyn’s remains, her daughter who was killed in an encounter between soldiers and the New People’s Army (NPA).
Cullamat filed a complaint before the CHR to look into the military’s action of taking a photo holding seized communist and NPA flags, standing behind the body of Jevilyn Cullamat. The photo was released and circulated on social media platforms.
Nine former rebels identified and confirmed that Cullamat died during a 45-minute encounter in Barangay San Isidro in Marihatag, Surigao Del Sur, special forces’ data said.
Reports said Jevilyn served as NPA’s medic and allegedly belonged to the Communist NPA Terrorist’s Sandatahang Yuniy Pampropaganda Platoon of the Guerilla Front 19, Northeastern Regional Committee (NEMRC).
“Walang awa at paggalang na ipinarada at naka-display ang kaniyang bangkay na parang tropeong napanalunan ng mga sundalong nakahilera sa background. May isang larawan pa na ipinalabas nilang hawak-hawak pa daw ng napaslang kong anak ang isang baril,” Cullamat said.
“Mas masahol pa, ginamit din ang mga larawang iyon sa black propaganda at patuloy na red-tagging at terrorist-tagging sa akin, sa aking pamilya, at maging sa buong Makabayan Bloc ng House of Representatives,” she added.
Cullamat asks CHR to probe military’s alleged “desecration” of daughter’s remains
Cullamat added what the military did is a clear violation of her rights as a mother and the International Humanitarian Law concerning paying respects to those who died during a war.
She also cited that the Philippines is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
“Batay sa mga ito, malinaw ang paglabag na ginawa ng mga elemento ng 3rd SF, Philippine Army sa kanilang pagsalaula sa bangkay ng napaslang kong anak na si Jevilyn,” she said.
“Ako po ay nananalangin at nananawagan na maimbestigahang pormal ng inyong Komisyon ang reklamo kong ito,” she added.
AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said the photo of the Jevilyn’s remains was taken for documentation and reporting purposes, which are required after an encounter.
On Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the inclusion of Jevilyn Cullamat’s lifeless body in a photo of the military troops after the encounter is “normal.”