The remains of five alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were killed in a series of encounters in Bohol last week have been turned over to their respective families by the military.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, chief of 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) public affairs office, said the families of Jingler Compoc alias “Keith”, Nelson Lumantas alias “Brando/Magno”, Zosimo Estañola alias “Emoy/Rex”, Ruben Nabas alias “Bogs”, and Lucio Isagre were claimed by their families on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Compoc, Lumantas, Estañola, Nabas, Isagre and another alleged NPA member Rogelio Jorillo died in a series of encounters with members of the 47th Infantry Battalion, 3ID in Bilar, Bohol last Sept. 7.
Compoc and Nabas were laid to rest in the municipality of Batuan, Umantas in Sevilla town, Estañola in Catigbi-an, and Isagre in Mabini.
Meanwhile, the body of Jorillo remained at Baguio Funeral Homes in Carmen, Bohol as it is yet to be claimed by his family.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, said the Philippine Army intended to bring the dead back to their families so they could be given a decent burial.
“We will provide assistance as necessary. We also sympathize with the bereaved families for their loss, as we recognize that these deceased CNTs [communist terrorist group members] were also victims of false propaganda and the crooked ideology of the CTG,” he said.
It can be recalled that members of the 47th IB, 3ID engaged in six encounters suspected members of the NPA’s Bohol Party Committee in Bilar town on Sept. 7.
The troops conducted a security operation after allegedly receiving a tip from residents who saw the armed men asking for food and supplies in the area, the military said.