Joma faces child trafficking raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice-Anti Trafficking in Persons Task Force (DOJ-ATPTF) will look into the complaint filed against Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison and three New People’s Army (NPA) leaders for child trafficking and child abuse.

DOJ Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said yesterday the complaints were forwarded to DOJ-ATPTF head Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and a former NPA child warrior filed complaints for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act against Sison and Reda Balatan of the Kilusang Larangan Guerrilla Sierra Madre.

Two counts of rape were filed against NPA leader Rey dela Peña and commander Joel Caliwliw. The incidents allegedly took place in March 2011 in Angeles, Pampanga; April and June 2016 in Nueva Vizcaya, March 2018 in Nueva Ecija and April 2018 in Pangasinan.

Balatan, Dela Peña and Caliwliw are detained at the Nueva Ecija provincial jail, Bambang police station and Nueva Vizcaya provincial jail, respectively.

The former NPA rebel claimed she was recruited to become a member of Anakbayan when she was 14 years old. She said she became an urban operator of the rebel group before joining the Caraballo guerrilla front operating in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan.

She said she became a full-fledged NPA rebel when she was 18.