BUTUAN CITY –– The 23rd Infantry Battalion (23rd IB) has formally turned over the remains of a slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel to his family on Monday, January 4., the military reported on Wednesday.
The 23rd IB turned over the body of “Ka Alas/Alon”, whose real name was withheld, a resident of San Luis town, Agusan del Sur, who was killed in an encounter with troops on December 30 in Kilometer 5, Purok 26, Lawaan, Barangay Tungao, in this city.
The soldiers painstakingly carried the remains of Ka Alas from the encounter site, and brought these to a funeral parlor here.
The turnover of Ka Alas’ remains was witnessed by officials of the Butuan City government, and Butuan City Police Office (BCPO).
"Nananghid man sa akoa kaning bataa nga mag trabaho sa bakery sa Bukidnon adtong niaging tuig kay gusto niya tabangan ang iyang mga manghud para maka eskwela kay nakita niya nga lisud ko maka paeskwela tungod kay byuda naman ko. Sakit kaayo nga ako nalang nasayran nga namatay siya sa enkwentro sa military kay nag apil-apil siya aning CPP NPA NDF. Kung wala lang nila gi ilad og na rekrut ang akong anak buhi pa unta siya karon ug ni abag nako sa panginabuhi" (My son asked permission to work in a bakery in Bukidnon the past year to help his brother and sisters in their school because I am a single mom. But sad to know that my son was killed in the encounter with the military because of his involvement with the CPP-NPA),” the rebel’s tear-eyed mother Liza said.
She added that her son was already missing for one year. Despite his death, the family expressed their gratitude to the government for the assistance they have given to them.
Lt. Col Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commanding officer of 23rd IB expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of “Ka Alas/Alon”.
"Another family is crying for the loss of their loved one because of the deception and lies brought by the NPA," the 23rd IB commander said.
He also reiterated his call to the remaining members of the NPA in the area to consider the offer of the government, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) and surrender.
"May this serve as a lesson to the remnants of CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA terrorist group,” he said.
“The government is eager to finish the 52 years of insurgency,” the 23rd IB commander said.