NDF seeks Red Cross intervention for wounded, pregnant rebel leader

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A spokesman for Maoist rebels operating in Southern Mindanao has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene in the case of a pregnant New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla leader who was allegedly the subject of a kill attempt some two weeks ago in Davao del Norte.

Kim Montiza, spokesperson for the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR), told the Inquirer the intervention from ICRC and human rights groups and lawyers will help ensure that the rights of Arnida Cuaton Manuiguilid, alias “Ka Lovi,” are respected as she recuperates from a lone but serious gunshot wound.

Montiza emphasized that under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), pregnant women and incapacitated combatants are strictly protected from attacks.

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According to Montiza, Manuiguilid was around six months pregnant when she went on medical leave from her guerrilla unit in the first week of August. 

At past 6:00 p.m. on September 19, as Manuiguilid was closing the gate of her safe house after a quick run at a mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, an unidentified gunman opened fire, leaving her crumpled and bleeding on the street, Montiza said.

The single bullet entered Manuiguilid’s back and exited through her chest, a detail confirmed by Maj. Ruben Gadut, spokesperson for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID).

But Gadut said the Maoist fighter is now in stable condition, although Montiza claims that the amazona is “paralyzed from the waist down” because of the gunshot wound.

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Both Gadut and Montiza are clueless regarding the condition of Manuiguilid’s pregnancy following the traumatic attack.

For days following the shooting, her exact situation was unclear. However, Gadut said that on September 25, Manuiguilid had “surrendered” and was by then receiving treatment in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, more than 200 kilometers away from Tagum.

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Gadut claimed that the transfer was made upon Manuiguilid’s own request. Hailing originally from General Santos City, she asked to be brought to Koronadal City so she could be closer to her family.

Gadut distanced the military from the September 19 shooting, labeling it a “police matter” that involved an unidentified perpetrator.

The Army, Gadut pointed out, only entered the picture on September 25 to facilitate her surrender.

“Our immediate concern was to ensure that she was safely brought under government care and provided the medical attention she needed,” Gadut said. 

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He added that her surrender formally allows her to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP. INQ