Cullamat files complaint vs military for desecrating daughter’s remains

MANILA, Philippines – Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat filed Tuesday a complaint against the military over the treatment of the remains of her daughter who died in an encounter between soldiers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

In the complaint she filed before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Cullamat expressed her anger over the circulation of the photos of the remains of her daughter, Jevilyn, on social media.

“Sa gitna ng aking pagdadalamhati at pagluluksa ay nagulat at nagalit ako sa aking nakitang kumakalat na larawan ng aking anak sa social media at iba pang media outlets. Walang awa at paggalang na ipinarada at naka-display ang kaniyang bangkay na parang tropeong napanalunan ng mga sundalong nakahilera sa
background,” Cullamat said.

(While grieving and mourning, I was shocked and angry at the sight of my daughter’s pictures being spread on social media and other media outlets. They mercilessly and disrespectfully paraded and displayed her corpse as a trophy won by soldiers who even lined up in the background.)

“May isang larawan pa na ipinalabas nilang hawak-hawak pa daw ng napaslang kong anak ang isang baril,” she added.

(Another picture they released shows my murdered daughter allegedly still holding a gun.)

Cullamat said her daughter’s remains were also treated as a trophy and used for black propaganda by the military.

“Mas masahol pa, ginamit din ang mga larawang iyon sa black propaganda at patuloy na red-tagging at terrorist-tagging sa akin, sa aking pamilya, at maging sa buong Makabayan bloc ng House of Representatives. Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap at matindi ko itong kinikundena,” the Bayan Muna lawmaker said.

(Worse, the pictures were also used in black propaganda, red-tagging and terrorist-tagging on me, my family, and even the entire Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives. It is unacceptable, and I strongly condemn it.)

According to Cullamat, these violated the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which states that the remains of those who died in clash should be treated with respect.

Aside from this, Cullamat pointed out that the Philippine government also signed international agreements and treaties on respecting political and civil rights, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

“Batay sa mga ito, malinaw ang paglabag na ginawa ng mga element ng 3rd [Special Forces Batallion], Philippine Army sa kanilang pagsalaula sa bangkay ng napaslang kong anak na si Jevilyn,” Cullamat said.

(Clearly, the members of the 3rd [Special Forces Batallion], Philippine Army violated and desecrated the body of my murdered daughter Jevilyn.)

Cullamat earlier asked the military not to use her daughter’s remains as a trophy for its propaganda, adding that her family has been disrespected.

For its part, the Philippine Army earlier said Jevilyn’s remains were immediately evacuated, and her siblings and members of her family were notified of the passing before 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. [ac]