Father slams donation drive linked to detained “Agusan 6”

MANILA — Elmer Espina, the father of one of the six individuals detained in Agusan del Sur, has criticized the fundraising campaign launched by the Free Agusan 6 Network, saying the efforts exploit their family members’ situation for political ends.

THE HAPPY DAYS. The Espina family, before Louvaine's NPA recruitment. Louvaine or Ka Pam (far left) and Elmer (far right), her dad.

The so-called “Agusan 6,” composed of Charisse “Chaba/Ka Nikki/Waya/Dom” Bañez, Arjie “Ka Ron-ron” Dadizon, Ronnie “Ka Rey” Igloria, Larry “Ka Laloy” Montero, Grace “Ka Jelyn/Love Joy” Man-aning, and Louvaine Erika “Ka Pam/Tugas” Espina, were arrested at a checkpoint in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, by joint elements of the police and the military on June 13. Authorities and former rebels described them as members of the New People’s Army (NPA), while activist groups insist they are merely community organizers being “red-tagged.”

Elmer Espina, father of Ka Pam, said in a Facebook post that his daughter was being exploited once more, even while in detention.

“Ilang taon niyo siyang kinuha sa amin, nilinlang at ginamit sa mapanlinlang ninyong aktibidad,” Elmer wrote. [For years you took her from us, deceived and used her in your deceptive activities.] He added that he had been blocked from commenting on the network’s social media page.

At a press conference last week, the Free Agusan 6 Network denounced the arrests as illegal and called for public support. Alongside their statements, they promoted donation drives and campaigns to “assist the detainees.”

“Pagkatapos [niyo siyang] kunin sa pamilya namin ng halos walong taon, ginagamit niyo [naman siya] sa propaganda niyo! Gagamitin ninyo sa DONATION DRIVE!” Elmer said. [After taking her from our family for almost eight years, now you are using her again in your propaganda! You will even use her in a donation drive!]

“Ang kakapal ng mukha ninyo, pinagkakitaan niyo pa ang anak ko! Ni singko hindi ‘yan nakakaabot sa anak ko” [You are shameless, profiting off my daughter! Not a single centavo reaches her.]

Screen capture of Elmer Espina's Facebook page.

The Free Agusan 6 Network also called on supporters to create “letters” and “artworks” dedicated to the detainees. While framed as gestures of solidarity, Elmer worries that these activities may pressure the remaining five not to cooperate with authorities or consider reintegration. Man-aning has since decided to cooperate with authorities and, with the help of her family and her husband, who is also a former NPA fighter, has been placed in military custody.

"Free Agusan 6" asks for "financial support," supposedly for the detained NPA fighters.

Activist groups maintain that the fundraising is humanitarian in nature and meant to cover personal expenses of the detainees. But to the Espinas, the initiative serves as a painful reminder of how their child’s life and choices have been entangled in the conflict.

The case of the Agusan 6 highlights the continuing clash between narratives: one portraying them as victims of political persecution, the other as rebels whose plight is again being used as a symbol for propaganda.