CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte – A member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary-Civilian Armed Forces Ground Unit (CAA-CAFGU) shot dead by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) town, this province, was given full military honors by the Army 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (IB) during his burial here on Friday, April 28.
FULL military honors were rendered to CAA-CAFGU member Cornelio Bersalona Ubanan who was killed by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Agusan del Norte. (Photo via Mike Crismundo)
The victim, Cornelio Bersalona Ubanan, 38, also known as “Kuya Jun,” was allegedly killed by four members of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda, Guerilla Front 21 of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in Sitio Dalicanan, Barangay Balang-Balang, RTR, on Sunday, April 23.
Ubanan’s live-in partner said they were on their way to Dalicanan Creek to take a bath when they were suddenly confronted by the suspects.
She said he was asked if he was Jun Ubanan and one of the suspects then shot him repeatedly in the back. She said they killed her husband despite her pleas to spare his life.
The suspects left as is nothing happened, she added.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante condemned the killing of Ubanan.
“If you still don't wake up and you still don't support and you bring trouble to the community because you support the NPA.
This is the last chance that I will give you to change,” she said.
“We can use the force of the government against you (CPP-NPA),” Amante said, adding “I am serious, we need to protect the community, together with the barangay and the LGU so that we are not used by the terrorist group.”
“We must all come together so that no more lives are lost,” the provincial chief executive said.
Lt. Col. Cresencio Gargar, commanding officer of the 29th IB, also condemned the killing.
“We strongly condemn the brutal killing of CAA Jun Ubanan perpetrated by the CTGs in broad daylight wherein he was shot multiple times at his back.”
“Rest assured that we will not rest until justice is served to the perpetrators,” Gargar said. “The Philippine Army will assist the bereaved family to avail their claims and together with the local government unit of Remedios T. Romualdez we will give full military honors to CAA Ubanan,” Gargar added.