Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday the red-tagging of Makabayan bloc representatives now has a basis after Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat’s was killed in a military encounter against the New People’s Army.
“Actually dahil sa nangyari ngayon, anak pa ng congresswoman na Makabayan ‘yung namatay… ‘yung red-tagging namin ay may basis ano. May basis na sila ay sumusuporta, ‘yung Makabayan, sinusuportahan nila itong CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) at saka ‘yung tinatawag na armed struggle ng NPA,” Lorenzana said in an ambush interview.
Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat’s daughter Jevilyn Campos Cullamat was killed in an encounter between the military and the 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.
Makabayan bloc red-tagging now has basis – Lorenzana
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.”
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said the inclusion of Jevilyn’s lifeless body in a photo of the military troops after the encounter is “normal.”
“Normal naman ‘yung ginagawa ng military eh, ever since eh pinapakita natin ‘yung mga namamatay,” he said, adding the troops did the same with fatalities from the Abu Sayyaf, the Moro National Liberation Front, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“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 added.
The Senate is conducting an inquiry regarding the AFP’s alleged red-tagging of Makabayan bloc House members, of which the solons refused to denounce the NPA.