ILOILO City – Ex-New People’s Army (NPA) rebel Nena (not her real name) said she was sexually abused by comrades.
She escaped on March 18 and sought help from the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) based in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
“Wala ko gid nagustohan,” she said. “Nagapanghurikap sanda. Gina-abusohan nila ang mga babaye, kapin pa ang mga bag-o sulod (new recruits).”
She went on: “Gintangka-an ako sang imaw ko nga si Ka Victor nga i-rape, kadarwa na ka beses. Mayad gani na abtan kami kang imaw man namon.”
Nena revealed that nine of 11 female rebels – mostly minors – in their group were now pregnant due to sexual abuse.
Nena said she also suffered extreme hunger, two days at least. They used to gallop “one place after another just to hide” from government forces.
Nena said she was given a chance to hold an M16 armalite rifle during their training.
They were also told not to surrender to the police and “sa mga malain nga Army, kon indi nyo gusto torture or patyon.”
Nena, who was in Grade 8, joined the NPA in November last year.
The rebels promised to send her to school and assured her of safety and security.
“Abi ko maka eskwela na ako. Wala man nila gin tuman ang ila gin promise. Mga ginatudlo nila kun paano mag away sa mga Army. Mga kawatan kuno sila kag abosado. Kabaliktaran ang tanan nila na panghabal sa amon, gutom lang na-agum namon,” she narrated.
“Sang pag-surrender ko sa Army, wala nila ako gin sakit, ginatatap pa nila ako kag napakaon sang manamit nga pagkaon. Indi matuod gali ang gina hambal sang NPA nga mga malain ang Army. Friendly man sila,” she added.
Nena wanted to continue with her studies and become a soldier “kay mabalos ako kananda (NPA).”
She also revealed that female members have been serving as “cooks” of their senior comrades. They were also told to fetch water and do other chores.
The 61IB commander, Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, said the rebels have no morals and are godless.
“They prey on their own female comrades who are even minors for sexual satisfaction and other forms of exploitation. They continue to destroy the moral fabric of society and future of our youth. I call on all parents to watch over their children and instill in them utmost awareness on the deceptive recruitment scheme of the terrorists,” Batara added./PN
