DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. visits the wake of Private First Class John Rey Brasil in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, June 3. (DND)
BACOLOD CITY – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. condoled with the family of Private First Class John Rey Brasil in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, June 3.
Brasil was killed in a clash between the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Monday, June 1.
Teodoro honored the sacrifice and service of Brasil.
"Masakit talaga itong nangyari (His death is really painful),” said Teodoro who expressed concern over the 24-year-old wife of Brasil who deeply mourned his death after being married for only a year.
Teodoro said that Brasil was set to undergo schooling when he died.
Brasil, 29, from Guimbal, Iloilo, entered the military service when he was 19 after experiencing the insurgency situation in his hometown.
Teodoro said that experience inspired Brasil to become a soldier. "He became a good soldier and died an honorable death," Teodoro added.
"Inuna sarili niya bago ang tropa na nililead niya. Natamaan sa ulo (He put himself ahead of the troops he is leading. He was shot in the head)," he said.
The encounter displaced 554 residents or 150 households in five sitios in Barangay Tamlang.
Affected residents have returned to their homes after the encounter site was cleared by authorities.
Teodoro vowed that focused military operations to address insurgency in the province will continue.
He said that the Army would be more vigilant especially since the number of NPA rebels is dwindling.
"Hindi titigil ang tropa. Nagkakalat sila (NPA) kung ano-ano ang ginagawa nila kaya mas kailangan ng protection ng community (Soldiers won’t stop. The NPA are doing everything and the community needs protection)," he added.
Brasil's remains will be brought to his wife's hometown in Murcia, Negros Occidental. The couple married in January last year.
The encounter happened more than a month after the gun battle in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental where 19 communist rebels were killed.