Lorenzana says 'normal' for military to show photos of slain enemies after clashes

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said it is normal for the military to take photos of enemies killed in encounters with government troops.

Lorenzana, however, told reporters that he already directed the military to determine how to "treat" the slain individuals better in order to protect their dignity and show respect to their families.

"Normal naman 'yung ginagawa ng military eh, ever since eh pinapakita natin 'yung mga namamatay, Abu Sayyaf, mga MNLF noon, MILF... siguro we will study kung papano natin mapangalagaan naman 'yung dignidad at saka 'yung privacy ng mga families," Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana made the remark after a military photo of Jevilyn Campos Cullamat's body -- with soldiers posing nearby as well as weapons and assorted rebel paraphernalia -- ended up in some media outlets. Cullamat is the daughter of Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat and was reportedly a member of the New People's Army (NPA).

"Alam natin may pamilya naman 'to, hindi naman ito.. mga taong 'to ay hindi lang sumulpot but mayroong pamilya ito at I have directed the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to look into how we can treat this, 'yung mga namamatay sa encounter, better," Lorenzana said.

The military said Jevilyn, who was allegedly serving as a medic for the NPA, was killed in a gun battle with troops in Barangay San Isidro in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur over the weekend.

Rep. Cullamat said she was not surprised that her daughter joined the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, after she experienced the alleged abuses of government forces.

She said her daughter is a hero of the Lumad and the entire nation. The lawmaker also insisted that her daughter is not a war trophy.

"Hindi siya bagay, hindi siya isang tropeo na ipaparada para lamang sa propaganda ng militar. Hindi niyo na ginalang ang patay, binabastos pa ninyo ang nagluluksa naming pamilya,” Rep. Cullamat said. —KBK, GMA News