By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY–The local government unit (LGU) of Candoni in Negros Occidental initiated the burial of the six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels Friday afternoon after they died in a clash with Philippine Army troops in Barangay Gatuslao on Thursday.
Eric John Monserate, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said in a telephone interview that none of the family members of the six fatalities claimed the cadavers.
“To show respect and dignity to the six unclaimed bodies, who lost their lives during the encounter, Mayor Ray Ruiz instructed the appropriate agencies to ensure their burial at the Candoni Public Cemetery,” he added.
Monserate said the Municipal Health Office decided to proceed with the interment since the bodies were already decomposing.
Only one of the seven fatalities, Jonel Anicito, 29, of Purok Makilo, Barangay Camansi Kabankalan City, was claimed by a family member on Friday.
Initial reports by the Philippine Army showed there were only six fatalities. Another cadaver was later found by military tracker dogs after the encounter Thursday morning.
All seven are remnants of the dismantled Southwestern Front of the NPA, which engaged with joint troops of the 47th Infantry Battalion and 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Cogon.
The soldiers recovered eight high-powered firearms, including five M-16 armalite rifles, 2 AK 47 rifles, and an M653 “baby” Armalite.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad III, commander of the 47IB, said the death of the seven communist rebels is “a significant blow to the dwindling remnants” of the NPA in Negros Occidental.
“We strongly encourage the remaining members to lay down their arms and choose the path of peace. The tragic fate of (their) comrades in this encounter serves as a stark reminder that the armed struggle only leads to suffering and death,” he added. (PNA)
