Stephanie Borinaga released a video on Facebook on January 30 to refute the NTF-Elcac’s vilification against her. The agency claimed she was a New People’s Army (NPA) member and a victim of “terror grooming.” A day later, Facebook’s mother company Meta deleted her video.

Borinaga, 20, is Anakbayan national secretariat member. On January 1, the military circulated her photos and ID on Facebook without her consent. The military claimed to have obtained them from the site of a clash between the revolutionary movement and the 203rd Infantry Brigade in Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

Borinaga said threats to her life prompted her to speak. She explained in the video that she first learned about the situation of the indigenous people in Abra de Ilog in October 2025 during an activity for Peasant Month. She decided to visit with the indigenous and peasant communities to understand their realities.

“Living with them made me see that corruption isn’t the only problem Filipinos face. The rotten state not only steals the people’s funds but also the land of farmers and indigenous peoples. It also robs the youth of their future. It’s painful to think that being the victim they stole from and violated, you’re still considered a terrorist when you fight back,” Borinaga explained.

She recounted her experience of being bombed and strafed by the 203rd IB in the village of Abra de Ilog. At least four attack helicopters launched strafing runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At least 12 bombs were dropped on the area.

“I didn’t go there to join the NPA. We were at the foot of the mountain. We could feel the ground shaking from the military’s bombings. Even when we were far away, fear would grip us each time we heard the roar of helicopters or gunfire.” Borinaga said residents told her that bombings have become part of everyday life for rural peasants and indigenous communities. “I wouldn’t have understood that reality if I hadn’t lived with them.”

According to the Provincial Social Welfare Office of Mindoro, the January 1 bombings forced 769 individuals from 188 families to evacuate.

Borinaga condemned the AFP and Hands Off Our Children (HOOC) for using her family for their propaganda and smear campaign against her. Her mother was present at the press conference staged by the NTF-Elcac and HOOC to vilify youth groups and appeared in other activities of the agency. Borinaga said she is an adult capable of deciding for herself.

Various youth and progressive organizations expressed support for Borinaga’s statement and called for an end to NTF-Elcac’s attacks against her.

“The accusation that the youth are victims of terror grooming is meant to destroy their credibility and criminalize youth organizations,” Anakbayan spokesperson Mhing Gomez said.

“Her brave testimony slams the desperate web of lies woven by the AFP and NTF-Elcac to condescend the youth and deny the legitimacy of their stand for social justice,” Gabriela said in its statement.

“It’s normal to ask questions and seek solutions in a society suppressed, oppressed, and brutalized by the state. It’s meaningful and just to immerse and learn in the mountains. Just because I care about what farmers go through doesn’t mean I’m NPA. Whoever the real terrorists are, you know it’s you,” Borinaga concluded.