AFP Spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo stated that they understand Cullamat’s grief on the death of her daughter due to “combat operations.” However, the AFP asserted that there were no violations in the conduct of their operation.
“Ang kanyang pagkamatay ay bunga ng lehitimong combat operations. Siya po ay isang miyembro ng teroristang grupo, ito ngang NPA. Malinaw po na siya ay isang NPA combatant and this is a combat operation (Her death is the result of legitimate combat operations. She is a member of the terrorist group NPA. It is clear that she is an NPA combatant and this is combat operations).”
In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Cullamat said that her child was pushed to join the armed rebellion due to the poverty and abuses experienced by the Lumads. She firmly expressed that she is proud that her daughter died serving and loving the country.
Rep. Cullamat strongly condemned the “rude and disrespectful” way of the military in handling the corpse of her daughter.
The AFP has apologized and stated that the action was not part of its policy and assured that the person behind the photo will be investigated.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfn Lorenzana conveyed his disapproval of the photo, “I have directed the AFP to see to it that all casualties other NPA, Abu Sayyaf ay hindi naman nila dapat ipa-publish na roon lang nakalugmok. Ayusin man lang nila. (They should not publish [the photos] of the bodies just lying around. They should have laid them down properly). Let us give some dignity to the fallen fighters.”
The members of the security forces are hoping that the death of Jevilyn Cullamat will serve as a sign for supporters of the leftist groups to cooperate with the government in eradicating the problem of insurgency in the country.
“Ako ay nanawagan, kung pwede lang siguro Rep. Cullamat at Makabayan Bloc na itigil na natin ito. (I’m calling on to Rep. Cullamat and the Makabayan Bloc, let’s put an end to this). We call upon you to stop this armed struggle.” DND Sec. Lorenzana appealed. – Report from Bea Bernardo
