ILOILO City – A 16-year-old former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) accused a ranking official of the rebel group of sexual abuse.
The victim accused Joven Ceralvo – commander of the Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiting Rehiyon – of sexually abusing her.
She testified against Ceralvo and other high-ranking officials after surrendering to the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army on March 18.
She was accompanied by her father during the filing of the rape complaint.
The teener disclosed how she and several other young female comrades were sexually abused, nine of whom became pregnant.
She also shared how the female members were assigned to cook and fetch water, and how one time, they had not eaten for two days.
She left the group after several months of hiding in the mountainous areas of southern Iloilo, and is currently in the custody of the 61st Infantry Battalion.
The specific charges against Ceralvo were for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as well as Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act./PN
