PSWDO bares group interested in female child warrior
By Eli C. Dalumpines
Tacloban City (31 October) -- A group has showed interest for the release of the female child warrior, identified by her comrades as "Ka Liza," from the custody of the social welfare department, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Luz D. Tacal disclosed in an interview Monday.
According to Ms. Tacal, a certain Atty. Prieto came to her office last October 18 asking for data about the child as they are preparing to file a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus before the court.
Atty. Prieto insisted that "Ka Liza" should be released by the DSWD and should be re-integrated to the community under the custody of her parents since she is still a child, Tacal informed.
She, however, told the lawyer that the five rescued minors who were allegedly members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) have already been turned over to the DSWD Regional Office since the PSWDO here has no facility to house them.
The PSWDO was puzzled though why the lawyer, who failed to mention to what organization he belongs, showed so much interest on "Ka Liza" and not with the four others.
Aside from Atty. Prieto, Ms. Tacal said she received information from the DSWD Regional Office that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is also working for the release of the child.
"I wondered why they showed particular interest on her while neglecting the other minors that are now placed under the custody of DSWD," Ms. Tacal asked.
To recall, "Ka Liza", who claimed to be the Medical Officer of the CPP-NPA's Central Front Committee 1 operating in the areas of Catbalogan, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao and the neighboring towns was rescued by the military in Sitio Cankahayag, Brgy. Tuturingon, an interior barangay of Catbalogan town last October 4 along with two other females. (PIA-Samar) [top]
