BACOLOD CITY – A former commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island passed away in a private hospital in Taguig City on August 29.
Silvino “Macao” Gallardo, 73, succumbed to complications after he underwent a heart surgery last week.
Gallardo was legendary in the early 80s at the time when there was famine in Negros because the world sugar price fell rock bottom, according to his friend Raymundo Tenefrancia, who remembered him through a Facebook post.
Tenefrancia said that Gallardo dedicated big of his youth fighting during the Marcos regime in the armed underground movement in Negros.
After Gallardo left the rebel movement, he became a president of Diversified Organic Enterpises Inc (DOEI), which was part of the Alter Trade Group of companies, and remained active as board of Alter Trade Foundation Inc. (ATFI), Tenefrancia said.
He also remembered Gallardo as one of those involved into grassroots empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
“Farewell dear friend, you will remain in our hearts,” Tenefrancia said.
The Doctors’ Hospital, Inc. here also took on social media their mourning on the passing of Gallardo, who also became part of the hospital as an administrative officer and corporate treasurer.
“We may have lost a good leader, but his legacy shall continue on. You will be greatly missed, Sir Macao,” the hospital said.