BUTUAN CITY (PNA) – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel killed in a recent skirmish in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur has been identified and will be given a decent burial, the military here said.
In a statement Monday, July 25, the Philippine Army 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) identified the slain insurgent as Rocky Maturan Vazquez, 33, of Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Vazquez was killed in an encounter with government forces on July 22 in the hinterlands of Sta. Cruz, Sibagat.
“The remains of the slain NPA rebel were handed over by the 65th IB and the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of Sibagat on Monday to his family,” the 65th IB said.
Vazquez was identified by his mother, Ermelinda Maturan Vazquez, and his brother, Dindo, who both appeared at the 65th IB and presented themselves as the family claimants.
Sibagat Mayor Thelma Lamanilao, chairperson of the Sibagat MTF-ELCAC, provided financial assistance to transport the remains of the rebel to Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, for the scheduled burial on Tuesday, July 26.
The MTF-ELCAC condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA for the atrocities committed in the municipality, especially in the far-flung communities.
The rebel’s mother expressed sadness over the fate of her son, saying she had a heavy heart when Rocky left their home.
“You could not have met this sad fate had you listened to me before. I had a heavy heart when you left, but it is more painful seeing you in this situation,” she was quoted as saying in the dialect.
Lt. Col. Emerson de Vera, 65th IB commander, urged the remaining NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur to surrender and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
He also condoled with the family of the slain rebel.