A student researcher from Manila died during Philippine Army’s aerial bombardment in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on New Year’s day, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindoro (NDFP)-Mindoro reported.
The NDFP said Jerlyn Rose Doydora, a Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) student, “suffered a fatal attack” during the military operation.
When asked about the victim’s exact cause of death, the Communist Party of the Philippines-Public Information Bureau said it will ask NDFP-Mindoro when communication lines are reestablished.
Doydora was among other youth volunteers who requested to conduct research among farmers, indigenous communities as well as revolutionary forces in the area.
A student leader, the victim was a member of PLM’s College of Education Student Council.
The group extended condolences to Doydora’s family and called for the immediate suspension of military and police operations to allow retrieval of her remains.
“To ensure her family can recover her remains, the (NPA) unit decided to lay her body in the area where she died,” NDFP’s statement reads.
Another youth was separated during the retreat and remains missing, the NDFP added.
The NDFP said the New People’s Army (NPA) unit accepted the group’s request to observe their New Year’s celebrations and implementation of their ceasefire declaration.
READ: Mindoro clash ruins self-imposed CPP-NPA ceasefire
The Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade fired missiles from attack helicopters starting at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on January 1, causing terror even among residents.
The aerial attack was in support of the 1st and 76th Infantry Battalions and the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion that attacked the NPA in the area starting at 6:30 a.m.
The NDFP said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) bombardment was “indiscriminate” and endangered civilians celebrating the New Year with the NPA.
Residents could be heard begging for the hostilities to stop in their videos of the incident posted online.
The NDFP urged human rights advocates and civic groups to press for a humanitarian corridor and to investigate the impact of the military operation on affected communities. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)