ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for hastily burying a dead comrade without informing the latter’s family.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, said even dead rebels deserve decent burial.
The 61st Infantry Battalion troops recently unearthed a rebel’s cadaver in Barangay Bucari, Leon, Iloilo.
Arevalo said the Army was tipped off about the shallow grave of a dead member of the NPA’s Sibat Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon – Panay.
The Army said the dead rebel was a certain alias Karl / Bonet / RamRam, member of Squad 3, Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Kometing Rehiyon-Panay.
From what the Army had gathered, Hembra had a nervous breakdown and also contracted a high fever last year. He eventually died and was buried.
From the vicinity of the shallow grave Army troops also recovered 30 rounds M16 rifle magazine, 15 cartridges of M16 rifle, three backpacks, one sling bag, one soldering iron, seven rolls of electrical wires, one bundle of surgical gloves, three plaster tapes and 50 pieces intravenous cannulas.
“Kami po ay nakikiramay sa pamilya ng namatay. And we strongly condemn this barbaric act of the NPA terrorists,” said Arevalo.
Addressing the rebels, he said: “This is how the leaders of this terrorist group will treat you when you’re dead. Mayroon pa tayong time, magbalik loob na po kayo sa gobyerno at mag-avail ng programa ng gobyerno.”
“The fate of alias Karl may serve as an eye-opener and realization to the remaining NPA members still hiding and refusing to return to the folds of the law. Surrender now before it’s too late,” Arevalo said./PN
