Photo from Office of Rep. Eufemia Cullamat
MANILA, Philippines — The daughter of Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat who was killed in an encounter between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA) was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon.
Cullamat said her daughter Jevilyn was laid to rest around 2 p.m. at a cemetery in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur.
The lawmaker expressed her grief as she was unable to return home for her daughter’s burial due to threats to her life and safety.
“Nakakalungkot at masakit sa akin bilang isang ina na hindi na makita kahit sa huling sandali ang aking bunso, pero nagdesisyon ang aking pamilya na hindi na ako pauwiin para sa libing dahil sa seryosong banta sa aking seguridad at buhay,” Cullamat said in a statement.
“Kahit na miyembro ako ng Kongreso, walang katiyakan na ligtas akong makakadalo sa libing ng anak ko dahil sa mga bantang ito,” she added.
Nonetheless, the congresswoman said it was nothing compared to the sacrifices of her daughter.
“Pinangarap ni Jevilyn na maging nars. Pero hanggang sa ngayon, napakataas na pangarap nito para sa mga batang Lumad na katulad niya sa ilalim ng sistemang tinuturing kaming mababa,” Cullamat said.
“Hindi na nakapagtataka na nakapagdesisyon siya na maging medic para sa mga NPA,” she added.
Cullamat said that in honor of her late daughter, she would do her best to fight for the Lumads, saying that Jevilyn will continue to be an inspiration for her and other Lumads.
“Sa ngalan at sa ala-ala ni Jevilyn, ipinapangako ko na habang ako ay nabubuhay ay gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya para: mabuksan muli ang mga pilit ipinasarang paaralang Lumad; mabigyan ng hustisya ang lahat ng mga pinaslang na mga Lumad; maipagtanggol ang lupang ninuno; maipanalo ang karapatan ng mga Lumad sa pagpapasya sa sarili at magkaroon ng gobyernong tunay na malaya, makatao, at demokratiko,” she said.
Cullamat earlier said that she respected the decision of her daughter to join the NPA, calling her a “hero” who died fighting for the Lumads and the country.