
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the bravery and selfless commitment of five Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) personnel who died in an armed encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Tagkawayan, Quezon recently.
Brawner visited the wake of Ceasar Sales, Jeffrey San Antonio, Jomarie Guno, John Ven Perez, and Aldon James Rafa in Tagkawayan on Friday, Sept. 8. The fallen CAFGUs were members of CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) Detachment Mapulot in Tagkawayan.
“In the solemn wake of five courageous CAFGU members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the CSAFP [Chief of Staff, AFP] witnessed in awe their heroism and gallantry,” Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of AFP public affairs office, said on Sunday, Sept. 10.
“These valiant personnel displayed unwavering dedication to safeguarding our nation, facing danger with unyielding resolve,” he added.
The five CAFGU men died after being hit by anti-personnel mines (APMs) set up by NPA rebels in the boundary of Tagkawayan and Labo, Camarines Norte last Sept. 1. The incident also hurt one soldier.
They were on a security operation along with a military personnel from the 85th Infantry Battalion when the mine exploded. After the explosion, armed men also fired shots towards the CAFGUs.
The fallen CAFGUs were laid to rest at the Himlayan ng Mga Bayani, a public cemetery in Tagkawayan.
Government employees and community members held a peace rally during the burial “to demonstrate solidarity of the Tagkawayan populace and called for peace and justice for the fallen CAA heroes.”
Meanwhile, Brawner also condemned the NPA for the continued use of anti-personnel mine which is prohibited under the Ottawa Convention or Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
“Their attack on government troops and use of banned APMs proved once again their apt designation as a terrorist organization with their wanton disregard and continued violation of the International Humanitarian Law’s ban on the manufacture, transport, stockpile, and use of anti-personnel mine,” Ileto noted.