TACLOBAN CITY – Two former child warriors of the New People’s Army (NPA) filed on Wednesday charges against several rebels for human rights violations and engaging children in armed conflict.
Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade spokesperson Capt. Kaharudin Cadil said the filing of cases against NPA members is a collective effort of the Eastern Visayas regional task force to end local communist armed conflict legal cooperation cluster.
“The former young NPA warriors have been seeking justice since they were exploited and deprived of a better future,” Cadil told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Leyte Provincial Prosecutor Arlene Cordovez assisted by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Dylan Enage received and verified the affidavit-complaints filed by Ruffa Lombog alias Roselyn, 21, and her 17-year old sister.
Both of them were recruited by the communist terrorist group as minors.
Formally charged are Rosemarie Anora, Jimmy Soledad alias Fred, Nestor Lebico Sr., Paterno Opo alias Yoyo; Yenyen, Nana, Jill, Mira, all aliases, and other members of Squad Abe, Platoon 1, Sub-regional Committee (SRC) Levox, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.
The siblings sued the NPA for violation of Republic Act 9851 otherwise known as Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocides, and other crimes against humanity.
Another case is the violation of the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act or Republic Act. No. 11188.
The law “provides special protection to children in situations of armed conflict from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their development, taking into consideration their gender, cultural, ethnic and religious background.”
Regional State Prosecutor Irwin Maraya has assured the speedy preliminary investigation of these cases.
Once resolved, the Department of Justice will file the case before the Regional Trial Court here.
The siblings voluntarily surrendered on June 12 to officials of the Philippine Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion based in Kananga, Leyte.
Their parents are also NPA rebels, who reportedly disagreed with their daughters’ plan to yield to government troops, out of fear. Two of their younger brothers are also rebels.
Earlier, the younger sister filed a rape case against Opo, one of the NPA commanders in Leyte and Biliran provinces.
Both sisters reportedly suffered abuse while with the communist group. Ruffa got pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl, now two years old.
Due to poor nutrition and lack of proper medical care, Ruffa was said to have suffered post-partum depression syndrome but instead of being given appropriate medical care, she was tied to a corner like a dog.
The parents allegedly did nothing to help Ruffa. On the order of the CPP-NPA leadership, her baby was left to the care of a childless farmer couple, who were mass members of the rebel group in a town in the northwest part of Leyte Island.
The 802nd Infantry Brigade under Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros is reportedly finding ways to fulfill Ruffa’s wish to reunite with her child.
Their family hails from Hilongos, Leyte but they operated with the CPP-NPA’s Platoon 1, SRC Levox, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee in northwest Leyte.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
