By Mike Crismundo
CAMP DATU LIPUS MAKAPANDONG, Awa New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur - The remains of two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who were killed in an encounter with government forces three years ago, were finally given a proper burial through the joint efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) last Thursday, February 27.
(26th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)
The remains of the unidentified NPA fighters were laid to rest at the La Caridad Cemetery in Barangay La Caridad in Prosperidad town, Agusan del Sur.
The burial was made possible through the collaboration of the troops of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion (26th IB), spearheaded by its commanding officer Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea, Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Col. Ringo C. Zarzoso and some officials of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur.
It was reported that a former rebel, identified as “Ka Tiger” disclosed the location of an arm cache of the NPA, as well as the whereabouts of the two NPAs who were wounded and eventually died in an armed engagement with government troops in 2017.
“Ka Tiger” made the disclosure to government authorities when he recently surrendered.
Acting on this information, the soldiers and policemen went to the location and retrieved the remains of the two NPA members.
“This is the faith of our brothers who were deceived by the propaganda and twisted ideology of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs),” Jimenea said.
“They have used our innocent brothers for their personal intentions without hesitation. Unfortunately, these two cadavers died without the knowledge of their families,” the 26th IB commander said.
Jimenea expressed his deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.
“It is very regretful to think, that the life of our fellow citizens were wasted because of this deceiving propaganda of the terrorist NPAs to join their false ideology in changing democracy into Communism,” he added.