Despite calls by various human rights groups for her release from military custody, a young Filipino-American activist rescued by the Philippine Army (PA) after a deadly operation in Occidental Mindoro has opted to remain at a military hospital to undergo medical treatment following days of hardship after clashes between government troops and communist rebels, the Philippine Army (PA) said on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Chantal Anicoche, 24, executed an undertaking stating her intention to stay at the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) Station Hospital in Camp Capinpin, Rizal for necessary medical procedures, according to Col. Michael Aquino, 2ID spokesperson.

The document was signed in the presence of an independent third-party lawyer from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and affirmed that her decision was voluntary and made without force or intimidation, he added.

“The 2nd Infantry Division honors her intent and recognizes the primacy of improving her medical conditions after suffering from difficult physical and mental challenges,” Aquino said.

This, despite repeated calls made by various rights groups, including Karapatan, to release Anicoche from military custody.

Anicoche was rescued by troops of the 203rd Infantry Brigade following a series of armed encounters with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Jan. 1 in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

The military said Anicoche was among those left behind by the fleeing rebels and she was found about 400 meters from the encounter site.

The military said she had endured eight days without food and water. She was later brought to the headquarters of the 2ID so her medical condition could be addressed.

However, rights groups expressed doubt about the claim of the military that Anicoche was rescued, insisting that the rescue operation could have been staged supposedly to evade accountability over the destruction caused by the military operation on the communities in Abra de Ilog.