Daughter of Bayan Muna Rep. Cullamat killed in military encounter vs. NPA

Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat’s daughter Jevilyn Campos Cullamat was killed in an encounter between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao Del Sur on Sunday.

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).

Special forces recovered five high-powered firearms in the clash, including one M653 5.56 caliber rifle, three AK-47 rifles, and one M14 rifle. The military also seized Five backpacks with “war material and subversive documents” inside.

Lieutenant Colonel Joey Baybayan said the encounter occurred after a series of attacks on civilians, 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.

Also read: Makabayan bloc: We are not members of CPP-NPA

Bayan Muna Rep. Cullamat says daughter fought for lumads

Bayan Muna Representative Cullamat said her daughter has fought against the “abuses” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the lumads and other ethnolinguistic groups.

“Di ako nagtataka kung sumapi sa NPA ang aking anak dahil sa patuloy na nararanasan naming mga katutubo sa mga pagmamalupit at pang-aabuso ng AFP at ng kanilang mga paramilitary groups. Naranasan mismo ito ng aming pamilya… Si Jevilyn ay nasa wastong gulang na at kaya niyang magdesisyon para sa kaniyang sarili,” the Bayan Muna representative said.

“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.

Also read: Año slams Makabayan bloc for not condemning CPP-NPA-NDFP