Body of dead NPA found in Surigao del Sur

Jul 27, 2020 10:06 AM

BUTUAN CITY – The body of a New People’s Army (NPA) fighter, who was earlier slain in an encounter with the military, was recovered in the mountainous area of Kiskis, Barangay Siagao in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Shown in photo is the cadaver of the former NPA rebel that retrieve by the government security forces in the hinterland area in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur province last week. (Photos courtesy of 36th IB-CMO, 75th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin) — Shown in photo is the cadaver of the former NPA rebel that retrieve by the government security forces in the hinterland area in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur province last week. (Photos courtesy of 36^th IB-CMO, 75^th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Monday, 36^th Infantry Battalion (36^th IB) Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer First Lt. Rodante A. Soso said the remains of the NPA was found based on the information provided by his comrade, who had earlier surrendered to authorities.

“The joint operation was conducted in response to the information given by a certain ‘Aka Dark’, a former regular member of the Guerilla Front 30 (GF30) of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEPRC), the 36^th IB CMO officer said.

“Aka Dark had recently voluntarily surrendered to this unit, he said.

According to “Aka Dark”, the recovered dead NPA was one of his comrades, who died in an encounter with government troops in the mountainous portion of San Miguel town last May 18.

He identified his fallen comrade as “Aka Hill”, a former member of Platoon 1 of the GF30 of NEMRC.

According to the former rebel, they had to abandon “Aka Hill” after government troops successfully seized their hideout in the mountainous portion of Kiskis area.

They fled to different directions to escape, and they are in dire need of food, health care and rest,” said Soso.

“Many of my former comrades got low morale and also wanted to surrender because of hardships and futile belief, but they are afraid that they might be killed by their NPA leaders,” the 36^th IB CMO officer said in quoting “Aka Dark”.

The body of “Aka Hill” was recovered by the joint retrieval operations conducted by 36^th IB and 75^th IB troopers last week.

Meanwhile, 36^th IB commander Lt. Col. Jezreel J. Diagmel renewed his call to the remaining NPAs still hiding in the mountains to come down, and avail of the government’s peace and development program.

“I am calling to those members of NPA still hiding in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur to come down in peace, lay down your arms and return to the fold of the law while there is still time and opportunity,” he said.