Leftist groups brainwashing youth ‘like a cult,’ lawyer tells DOJ

Relissa Lucena, mother of minor allegedly recruited by leftist groups. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines – Leftist organizations have been brainwashing the youth “like a cult,” said one of the lawyers representing one of the private complainants in the kidnapping, child trafficking and child abuse complaint against militant lawmakers and personalities.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for Relissa Lucena, mother of Anakbayan member Alicia, said at an early age of 16, militant organizations were already brainwashing teenagers.

“Pagdating ng 18, hindi na makapagbigay ng informed consent kasi brainwashed na so the consent is already vitiated or defective na yung consent. Parang kulto ang ginagawa nila,” Topacio told reporters as the Department of Justice (DOJ) begins the preliminary investigation on the complaint filed by Lucena and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

Lucena claimed that her daughter was kidnapped and accused the militant organization of keeping her daughter away from her.

“Hindi ko alam ano ang sitwasyon nya – natatakot ba sya o talagang gusto nya lang dun. Ang hirap ng sitwasyon namin…Sila tong nasa legal pero parang pinaglalayo nila kami,” she said.

But Relissa’s daughter, 18-year old Alicia, already appeared before the Senate and belied allegations that she was kidnapped.

READ: Daughter refutes mom: I am not missing, brainwashed; I left home willingly

Only respondents Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares, Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago and former Akbayan Rep. Tomasito Villarin appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary investigation being conducted by DOJ Assistant State Prosecutor Christine Perolino.

The other respondents Charlie del Rosario, Bianca Gacos, Jayroven Villafuente Balais, Anakbayan president Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national secretary general Einstein Recedes, Anakbayan partylist Rep. Alex Danday were represented by their lawyers.

Dean Antonio La Vina, who is Elago’s legal counsel, said that in the counter-affidavit that they would submit on Sept. 10, they would explain that the alleged missing student activist Alicia Lucena, 18, was not in their custody.

Alicia also reportedly only campaigned for the Kabataan partylist during the elections.

La Vina said: “It is very simple. She (Elago) ran for Kabataan partylist. It is a legitimate political party that is not a crime for her to ask people to campaign for her. There is no crime involved here.”

Meanwhile, Topacio said they would present five witnesses to prove their claim that the students are brainwashed.

They would have a “joint effort” with the PNP, particularly the CIDG and the Legal Division, and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on how best to present their complaint.

The DOJ sets the second preliminary hearing for Sept. 10./ac