Ex-NPA amazon bares sexual ordeal

A former female fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA) bared her and other women’s ordeal in the guerrilla movement, saying that they were often sexually harassed by their commanders.

At 13, Joy was going through the usual stage of being rebellious. She often had arguments with her parents over small things. Those petty quarrels made her feel alone.

It was during those times that she found refuge in the company of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the island of Mindoro.  When Joy became a full-time guerrilla in 1997, she was the only female fighter in their squad and was eventually called Ka Joy. 

At first, she said their squad leader was treating her nicely, giving her special attention and care whenever they were together.

After three months in the guerrilla movement, Ka Joy noticed that their squad leader was starting to give her lingering touches that later even reached her private parts. 

This went on for six months until their comrades noticed that she seemed problematic and teary-eyed most of the time.

"Nag-isip na ako nang bandang huli dahil nagtataka na talaga ako.  Unang una, talagang may malisya sa mga hipo niya sa akin. Na alam kong hindi naman niya dapat gawin dahil alam ko na may pamilya siyang tao (I was already starting to think about it because there was malice when he touched me, which I know is wrong because he is a family man)," Ka Joy told The STAR in an exclusive interview.

In a gathering with other NPA squads, she said she informed her female comrades about her ordeal and was surprised to know that most of them had the same experience with their commanders.

When their squad spent a night in a village prior to an operation, she said the squad leader asked her to sleep beside him. She refused but when he became insistent, she pushed and fought him.

That incident prompted her to seek an opportunity to escape. And when she did, Ka Joy, now 23, immediately surrendered to the Army’s 2nd infantry division, which is now taking care of her.

"Nagtiwala ako sa kanila pero ito ang ginawa nila sa akin (I trusted them but this is what they did to me)," she said, adding that her female comrades in the communist movement probably share her ordeal.

The NPA has been very vocal about their adherence to international humanitarian laws, particularly those pertaining to women and children. It has also repeatedly said that their members are required to strictly follow rules and respect female comrades.

But according to Ka Joy, these rules were not always followed. She said she is proud to tell her story because she was able to resist the squad leader’s sexual advances, which eventually paved the way for her return to the government.

Another former rebel, identified as Ka Dennis, affirmed that sexual harassment is not new among guerrilla fighters. He said there have been instances when NPA cadres were accused of committing sexual advances on new female recruits, but they only get a scolding from their superiors. 

"May mga iba na inililipat lang ng assignment dahil ayaw din ng partido na itiwalag sila dahil inaasahan sila bilang mga kumander (Some are only transferred to new assignments because the party does not want to dismiss them since their services as commanders are valued)," Ka Dennis revealed.