“Co, Ikaw ang Dapat Managot Niyan!”

TANAY, RIZAL — The mother of a Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila student killed in a recent encounter involving the New People’s Army (NPA) in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, directly called out Rep.  Renee Co, accusing her and Kabataan Partylist of recruiting her daughter, which she said ultimately led to her daughter's death during an armed clash between rebel forces and government troops.

The mother of Jerlyn Rose Doydora, who asked not to be named, spoke during a media forum held today in Tanay, Rizal, where she recounted the last time her family saw Jerlyn. Dubbed “Demand Accountability from Terror Groomers!,” the forum was jointly spearheaded by Buklod Kapayapaan Federation Inc. and Hands Off Our Children Movement.

According to her mother, Jerlyn left home on December 24, telling her family that she would visit her aunt. From that point until January 1, the family had no information about her whereabouts.

On January 1, the family received reports that Jerlyn had been killed during an armed encounter involving the NPA. Upon learning of the incident, Merlinda, who works as an overseas Filipino worker in Macau, immediately returned to the Philippines.

In an emotional testimony, Doydora questioned the circumstances that led to her daughter’s death. She recalled that their family loved and cared for Jerlyn so much, they treated her like a princess.

“Hindi nga namin pinapalakad ng malayo ang anak ko dahil may sugat ang paa niya. Tapos papakyatin ninyo (Kabataan Partylist) sa bundok?” she said. “Tapos kayo pa ang may gana na tumawag ng hustisya?” (“We did not even allow our daughter to walk far because she had a wound on her foot. Then you let her climb a mountain? And then you are the ones who have the nerve to call for justice?”)

Doydora also demanded that Kabataan Partylist stop using her daughter’s images in their political activities.

“Please po, Kabataan Partylist, tigilan ninyo na po ang paggamit ng mga litrato ng anak ko,” she pleaded. (“Please, Kabataan Party-list, stop using my daughter’s pictures.”)

According to the family, Jerlyn’s photos have been circulated in rallies, social media posts, and even donation drives associated with leftist groups.

Addressing Rep. Co directly, Doydora said, “Ikaw, Co, ikaw ang lider ng Kabataan Partylist. Ikaw ang dapat managot niyan. Kasama mo pa siya sa mga litrato.” (“You, Co, you are the leader of Kabataan Party-list. You should be held accountable for this. You even have pictures together.”)

Meanwhile, Gina Madis, the mother of missing student Stephanie Borinaga, also shared her account during the forum. Borinaga remains unaccounted for following the same armed encounter in Abra de Ilog.

Madis said she was shocked to learn of her daughter’s alleged involvement after being sent links on social media showing posts of an identification card believed to belong to Stephanie, reportedly recovered after the encounter.

“Hindi namin akalain na mapupunta siya doon,” Madis said. (“We never imagined that she would end up there.”)

She added that her daughter was recruited through Anakbayan.

“Mabait ’yong bata. Matalino. May pangarap sa buhay,” Madis said. (“She is a good child. She is intelligent. She had dreams in life.”)

Despite the uncertainty, Madis said she remains hopeful that security forces will be able to locate her missing daughter.