Photo from the Office of Rep. Eufemia Cullamat
MANILA, Philippines — “Mahal ko ang anak ko na nagmahal sa bayan. Ipinagmalalaki ko siya. Bayani siya ng mga Lumad at ng buong bayan.”
Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat had this to say Sunday as she asked the military not to use the remains of her daughter as a trophy for its propaganda, adding that her family has been disrespected.
Cullamat made the statement after her youngest daughter, Jevilyn, was killed in a clash between the Philippine Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion and the New People’s Army.
“Mariin kong kinokondena ang ginawang pambabastos at pambababoy sa labi ng aking anak. Hindi siya bagay, hindi siya isang tropeo na ipaparada para lamang sa propaganda ng militar,” Cullamat said in a statement.
“Hindi niyo na ginalang ang patay, binabastos pa ninyo ang nagluluksa naming pamilya. Hinihiling ko sa militar na huwag gamiting tropeo ang bangkay ng aking anak. Hayaan ninyo ang aming pamilya na makapagluksa at makapagbigay ng parangal sa kabayanihan niya,” she added.
Cullamat said she respects the decision of her daughter to join in the armed struggle, calling her a “hero” of the Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) and the country.
“Mahal na mahal ko si Jevilyn. Isa siyang tahimik at mabait na anak. Pinalaki namin siya na maging makabayan, matapang, at may sariling pag-iisip at paninindigan,” Cullamat said.
“Ang desisyon niyang lumahok sa armadong pakikibaka ay hindi simpleng bagay, at bunga na rin ng pang-aabusong dinanas naming mga Lumad at ang matinding kahirapan na nasaksihan niya,” the Bayan Muna lawmaker added.
Cullamat said that her daughter’s life was not wasted as she fought for the Lumads.
“Malaking karangalan sa akin na nagkaroon ng isang anak na naging martir at mandirigma. Mahal na mahal ko ang aking anak na buong buhay na naglingkod at nagmahal sa bayan,” Cullamat said.
“Walang pag-alinlangan kong sasabihin ito: ipinagmamalaki ko si Jevilyn dahil lumaban siya sa isang sistemang mapang-api lalo na sa aming mga Lumad. Walang nanay na magtatakwil sa anak na nagsantabi ng pansariling interes at nag-alay ng kanyang buhay para sa bayan at para sa pagdepensa sa aming lupang ninuno,” she added.
The Philippine Army earlier said Jevilyn’s remains were immediately evacuated and her siblings and members of her family were notified of the passing prior to making her death public.
“The military provided security and transportation assistance to the Cullamat family and coordinated with the nearest mortuary for the proper handling of the cadaver,” the Army said.