Senator Robin Padilla is seeking a Senate inquiry into the extent of rape and sexual assault within the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
In filing Senate Resolution 1162, Padilla sought to update the Revised Penal Code as well as Republic Act 8353, the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 – while discouraging youths from joining armed rebel groups.
“Public information aids people in making healthier and more enhanced decisions.”
“Public information aids people in making healthier and more enhanced decisions,” the legislator said.
“Conducting an information campaign about the realities inside organizations like the CPP-NPA can play an important role in discouraging students and the youth in joining rebel groups,” the lawmaker stressed.
“Fostering an informed citizenry also contributes to the protection of human rights and social justice.”
“Fostering an informed citizenry also contributes to the protection of human rights and social justice,” the senator added.
In his resolution, Padilla cited hearings by the Senate Committee on National Defense, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation in 2020 where a former chair of Anakbayan Central Luzon – Lady Desiree Miranda – alleged she was raped by her commander in 2016, molested by her squad leader in 2017, and sexually assaulted by a comrade in 2018.
Miranda also alleged that “other female NPA fighters also experienced similar abuses within the NPA”.
Another former rebel, “Ka Shane,” accused her former NPA commander and platoon leader of raping her when she was 15 and a combatant.
She filed a case against her former squad leader and the platoon vice commander who she said abused her in 2016 when she was with the Caraballo Guerrilla Front in Nueva Ecija.
Still another former cadre, Arian Jane Ramos, said she personally met with women who became victims of sexual abuse by male comrades and commanders.
