DAVAO CITY – A female medic of the communist rebel group New People’s Army in North Cotabato province was rescued by soldiers after after a daring escape from their commander who sexually abused her and four others.
The 20-year medic, who is a member of the Pulang Bagani Command 2, said she escaped from the NPA after their leader, Ka Botchoy, abused them. The fate of the others is unknown.
The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command confirmed the report and said the medic is now in the care of the 19th Infantry Battalion following her rescue on September 17 in Calinan district in Davao City.
It said the medic’s father sought assistance from the army and guided the soldiers to his daughter’s hideout. The medic said she and four others from Magpet town joined the NPA in March this year after being lured by rebels.
“Misulod mi diri aron mawala ang mga pagpahimulos, apan naa ra man diay gihapon pagpanghimulos sulod sa armado (We joined the NPA to stop the abuses, yet we suffer the same within the organization),” she told the military.
Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, commander of the 19th Infantry Battalion, also confirmed the medic’s statement and condemned the NPA for preying on its own female members for sexual satisfaction.
“I call on to the local leaders of the NPA terrorists to stop the exploitation of women and minors and other forms of abuses they are committing against the people. NPA terrorists are continuously recruiting members to join their failed armed struggle, yet they have rotten ranks and system,” he said.
There was no immediate statement from the NPA on the medic’s claims. The group has been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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