CAMP Melchor F. dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – The bodies of three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who died of hunger were found buried in a shallow grave in Barangay Canadam, Maconacon, this province, Sunday, July 3.
The bodies were identified as that of alias “Marco,” alias “Lucia,” and alias “Jero.”
The remains of Marco, a member of Squad Dos, were buried last May 24, based on the date written in a stone marking his grave.
Lucia and Jero’s bodies were crudely interred last June.
The 95th Infantry Battalion unearthed their remains following information from former communist guerrillas. The remains were covered with a hammock and buried about one foot below the ground.
The Army said that the three are all members of the weakened Komiteng Probinsya Isabela, Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley.
According to Lt. Col. Carlos B. Sangdaan Jr., 95th IB commander, they died because of starvation and buried that way as pursuing soldiers were hot on their heels.
Operating troops with the assistance of former NPA rebels are still scouring the area for the remains of other dead NPA rebels.
“We have alerted now our adjacent troops for the retrieval operation. We are also looking for their families to turn over their cadavers," Sangdaan said.
Brig. Gen. Danilo D. Benavides, commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, condoled with the families of the deceased NPA rebels.
"We offer our condolences to the families of these individuals. Their lives were wasted on the terrorist group as they are guiltlessly abandoned by their comrades by just burying them anywhere," Benavides said.