Family urges Army to release slain rebel’s body

By Juliane Judilla

The family of slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel Rewilmar “Vivian” Torrato is urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to release her remains and those of others killed in an alleged clash with government troops in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo, on August 15.

In a statement released by the family on Sunday, August 18, they expressed sadness over Vivian’s death but respected her decision to participate in the armed struggle.

They also condemned the prolonged process of retrieving Vivian’s body and those who were killed with her.

“She was a kind, caring, intelligent, and compassionate woman, and we respect her decision to offer her life to serve the people in her utmost capacity.

If the Philippine Army’s report of her alleged death is true, we hope they will respect our family and release her remains so we may confirm her death, grieve properly, and give her the due respect and proper burial rites,” the statement said.

“We, the family of Rewilmar ‘Vivian’ Torrato, sincerely urge the Philippine Army and the AFP to honor their claim as a professional organization that respects International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Code of Conduct on the Rules of War. We implore them, even on humanitarian grounds alone, to release the remains of Vivian Torrato and all those who died with her. It is a basic act expected, even in war, of any human being,” the statement added.

According to a press release by Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, Chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 3rd Infantry Division, they are making every effort to retrieve the cadavers.

However, due to inclement weather and safety concerns, they could not proceed with their plan.

“We made our choppers available to airlift the dead bodies after the encounter, but the inclement weather, thick clouds, and the possible presence of armed elements in the designated pick-up zone prevented us from proceeding with the plan. Nonetheless, our troops carried the cadavers by foot to the nearest accessible road, which took them at least three days to trek. Our soldiers crossed steep slopes and slippery terrain, putting themselves at risk and facing health hazards [as one of the bodies is in an advanced stage of decomposition] to bring the cadavers down for proper hand-over to the LGU, MHO, and local PNP of Lambunao,” the statement said.

“As of yesterday, the families of the slain NPAs were already informed and constantly updated on the status of the cadavers.

Rest assured that our soldiers on the ground have been doing their best, putting themselves at risk and serious health hazards, to speed up the retrieval of the cadavers.

We will bring the cadavers down and turn them over to their families as soon as possible,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Torrato family denied Lt. Col. Javines’ claim, stating that they had not received any information from the AFP.

“The claims of the AFP that they are coordinating with the Torrato family are nothing but lies. For the past three days, the AFP has been radio silent on updates regarding the remains of our family member, which forced us to release a statement demanding the immediate release of the remains,” a representative of the Torrato family told Daily Guardian.

Alongside Torrato, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Peace Consultant Maria Concepcion “Concha” Araneta-Bocala was also reportedly killed in a ten-minute firefight with operating troops from the 82nd Infantry “Bantay-Laya” Battalion.