16-year-old girl missing? Military seeks police, DSWD's help

CEBU, Philippines - The 79th Infantry Battalion based in Siaton, Negros Oriental has asked the assistance of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office and the Provincial Social Welfare Development in the search of a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly used by a human rights group last month in its missions.

Althea Akisha Villagonzalo is considered lost after she was nowhere to be found since she was last seen on March 16, the night when an encounter happened between the military and the NPA rebels in Barangay Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina.

The girl was allegedly last seen with Manuel Bentillo, a volunteer for the peasant group Anakpawis, and other Karapatan members in Sitio Danao, Barangay Nagbinlod.

When Bentillo was reportedly made to explain at the Santa Catalina Police Station why he brought with him a minor in a dangerous area affected by armed conflict-related activities, he alleged the girl is already 18 years old and is a resident of Sitio Guadalupe, Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Doubtful of the facts given by Bentillo, the 79th IB claimed they double checked the details but all information did not exist.

The troops allegedly learned that there is no Sitio Guadalupe in Barangay Kalunasan nor a person in the barangay named Althea Akisha Villagonzalo. They also requested the NSO for verification given for Althea but the name allegedly did not exist in their database prompting them to ask for the help of the DSWD in the rescue of the girl.

“What then is the real name of Althea? Where does she reside? Where is she now? Why does Manuel Bentillo, who is a member of Karapatan-Negros Oriental bring with him in the hinterlands this girl from Cebu who is still in her school years?” the 79th IB said.

The 79th IB also said that Dennis Abarrientos, Karapatan-Central Visayas Secretary General also confirmed in his press releases that they have been in a mission in the town since February 11 but allegedly could not show a provincial permit as required for in Provincial Ordinance #5 for their group’s presence when asked by troops.

Sought for comment, Abarrientos told The FREEMAN they are not using minors in their mission, saying the military are just making up stories against his group to get even because they have filed complaints against them.

He said they filed illegal arrest and detention against 79th IB Commanding Officer Pio Diñoso and five others when the military “mass arrested” members of the Karapatan group and accused them as members of New People’s Army.

The case was filed last March 23 at the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman.

“What they did is an attacking effort against us. We are not armed, why should we go to places where there are conflicts? Unless kung ilang dad-on ang gyera namo,” Abarrientos said. –/WAB (FREEMAN)