By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) on Wednesday called on the New People’s Army (NPA) to immediately free Filipino-American citizen Cristina Pasion, who is believed to be with the insurgents in Occidental Mindoro.
2ID public affairs office chief Col. Michael Aquino made the appeal to the rebel group after soldiers recovered handwritten notes believed to be written by Pasion, which show signs of emotional distress.
“The writings, believed to have been authored by her, raise serious concerns about her well-being, and we hope that those currently with her will recognize that no cause should come at the cost of a person’s life and mental health,” he added.
Aquino emphasized that the appeal is based on humanitarian concern.
“If she wishes to leave the armed movement and return home, she should be allowed to do so. Everyone deserves the opportunity to step away from conflict and rebuild their life,” he added.
Aquino also reiterated the 2ID’s call for the remaining members of the armed group to abandon the path of violence.
“The 2nd Infantry Division reiterates its call for the few remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and surrender to the fold of the law, where they can rebuild their lives anew with their families,” he added.
He also called on Pasion’s family to help encourage her return to the United States and move forward with her life.
Government forces recovered the handwritten notes shortly after the March 29 clash with NPA members in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
The encounter resulted in the death of Army officer Capt. Dean Buen Oyando and the wounding of two other soldiers.
After the incident, Charlize Garzon was found a few meters from the lifeless body of Oyando and was subsequently taken into custody. Garzon is now facing a murder charge and two counts of homicide in connection with the incident.
Among the materials previously recovered from the area were notebooks and other personal writings believed to have been left behind by fleeing members of the armed group during the incident.
“Among the diary-style entries were notes written in fluent English describing personal experiences while staying in the mountains. One of these entries is believed to have been written by Cristina Pasion, based on the conversational tone of the notes and information from individuals who were previously with her,” the 2ID said.
In the entry, the writer stated, “I feel like everyone is playing mind games. There is this urge to leave everything behind and start from scratch. Begin with a clean slate. No more complicated bull****.”
Another line in the same set of notes reads, “Everything is time sensitive. Please f****** kill me right now.”
The 2ID expressed concern that the tone of the entries suggests that the author may be experiencing significant emotional strain while staying with the armed group.
Available information also indicates that Pasion, who has been identified as a member of Migrante International, was seen together with Filipino-American Chantal Anicoche before their trip to Mindoro.
Reports further indicate that the two were together during their stay on the island until they were separated during the Jan. 1 incident in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, where government troops clashed with NPA members.
Further information indicates that Pasion was expected to return to the United States on March 14, but failed to appear for her scheduled departure at the airport. (PNA)
