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Bayan Muna Rep. Cullamat’s daughter killed in military encounter vs. NPA


Jevilyn Campos Cullamat, daughter of Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat, was killed in an encounter with special forces in Surigao Del Sur on Sunday.

According to data released by the special forces, Cullamat was killed in a 45-minute encounter in Barangay San Isidro in Marihatag, Surigao Del Sur, as identified and confirmed by nine former rebels.

She was reported to have served as a medic of the New People's Army and supposedly belongs to the Communist NPA Terrorist's Sandatahang Yuniy Pampropaganda Platoon of the Guerilla Front 19, Northeastern Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Five high-powered firearms were seized in the encounter including three AK-47 rifles, one M14 rifle, and one M653 5.56 caliber rifle. Five backpacks containing "war material and subversive documents" were also seized.

The encounter comes two months after a series of attacks on civilians, according to Lieutenant Colonel Joey Baybayan, which "indicate that [the rebels] are desperate and on the losing end."

"The CSP teams’ deployment, local government and civilian collaboration to reach and bring public service in the conflict-affected areas greatly countered their recruitment and resource generation making them hungry, exhausted and their morale low.  We encourage the remaining CNTs to surrender. Don't wait for the E-CLIP and the opportunity to peacefully surrender close its doors for you," he said.

'Makatwiran ang kaniyang ipinaglalaban'

Sought for comment, Representative Cullamat said she was not surprised that her daughter joined the NPA, as she saw and experienced the "abuses" of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Naniniwala ako na makatwiran ang kaniyang ipinaglalaban pero ibang porma ang kanyang pinili para mapigilan ang pambubusabos sa aming mga lumad at katutubo at para magkaroon din ng makaturangang lipunan," Cullamat said.

"Si Jevilyn ay nasa wastong gulang na at kaya niyang magdesisyon para sa kaniyang sarili. Naniniwala ako na makatwiran ang kaniyang ipinaglalaban pero ibang porma ang kanyang pinili para mapigilan ang pambubusabos sa aming mga lumad at katutubo at para magkaroon din ng makaturangang lipunan," she added.

The lawmaker also warned that the recent incident could embolden the military to "spread lies" against the Bayan Muna and the Makabayan bloc.

"Walang kapantay ang aking dalamhati sa pagpatay ng militar sa aking anak na si Jevilyn. Dumagdag ang dugo ng aking anak sa libong kalumaran na nagpatak ng dugo sa lupa para sa kalayaan at laban sa historikong pang-aapi sa aming hanay," she said.

"Alam ko na gagamitin ng militar ang kanilang pagpatay sa aking anak para lalo pang  maglubid ng kasinungalingan sa Bayan Muna at Makabayan bloc pero naninindigan kami sa katotohanan at di malulutas ng kanilang mga boladas at kasinungalingan ang ugat ng mga problema ng bansa," she added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News