CHR launches probe into death of Bayan Muna Rep. Cullamat’s daughter

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday said it has launched an investigation on the death of Bayan Muna party-list Representative Eufemia Cullamat’s daughter, Jevilyn, who was killed in a military encounter last week.

“The CHR Caraga Regional Office has already launched a probe on the case of Cullamat,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

“We promise to work closely with the family of the victim and the authorities to shed light on the incident,” she added.

On Sunday, Jevilyn was killed in a 45-minute encounter with the 3rd Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army in Barangay San Isidro in Marihatag, Surigao Del Sur.

Following this, photos of Jevilyn’s body — with soldiers posing nearby as well as weapons and assorted rebel paraphernalia — ended up in some media outlets.

Cullamat labeled this as a “desecration” of her daughter’s lifeless body and urged the CHR to investigate. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has denied using the body as a war trophy.

“The Commission… welcomed the representatives from the Makabayan bloc who personally filed the complaint at the CHR office, and had a dialogue regarding the rampant cases of red-tagging and various human rights violations against members of progressive organizations,” Guia said.

Makabayan earlier condemned the Philippine Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion for allegedly disrespecting the remains of Jevilyn.

“Faithful to its mandate, the CHR is always open to any party who seeks aid in pursuing justice and accountability for human rights violations perpetrated by both state and non-state actors,” the spokesperson said.

?Jevilyn was said to have been a medic of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a member of the NPA Terrorist's Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon of the Guerilla Front 19, Northeastern Regional Committee.

When sought for comment, Cullamat said her daughter joined the NPA due to the “continuing military abuse of Lumad communities,” adding that she believed Jevilyn was fighting a reasonable cause.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the government's red-tagging and linking Makabayan Bloc to the communist group now has a basis following Jevilyn's death.

However, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said the killing of Jevilyn is not evidence that would link the Makabayan Bloc to communist rebels.—AOL, GMA News