ARMY'S 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), working together with the Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) of Butuan City, conducted a dignified funeral service for two individuals associated with the New People's Army (NPA), according to military officials today, June 25.
The CTF-ELCAC and the army provided full support and covered all expenses related to the funeral services and interment of the two fallen rebels.
First Lieutenant Jade Bryce Buñe, the civil-military operations officer of 29IB, stated that the memorial ceremony took place on June 21, 2023, in Sitio Dugyaman, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City.
"Initially, three bodies were found on June 16. The following day, the military cleared the area and recovered two more bodies," said Buñe.
The remaining three bodies were taken by their respective families for burial, as stated by Buñe.
"Only two of the five rebels are here at our place; the other three are in Surigao, where their respective families took care of the burial," he said.
Buñe mentioned that the military and Elcac also assisted the remaining three rebels after the troops retrieved the bodies of the slain individuals from the site of the encounter and entrusted them to funeral homes until their final resting place.
Two other cadavers have been claimed by their respective families and transported to their hometowns for burial, according to Buñe.
During the burial, two troops served as pallbearers for Roel Arellano Maglasang, also known as Do/Dali, the Executive Commander of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee/Vice Commander, and his wife Raylin Zubiri, known as Apple, who served as the Finance Staff of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
The families of the deceased expressed their gratitude to the troops for recovering the bodies and treating them with the utmost respect.
"Sir, we are thankful to you, soldiers, for retrieving their lifeless bodies and returning them to us, despite the great distance. Thank you very much," said the mother of alias Do/Dali, conveying her appreciation.
Lt. Colonel Cresencio Gargar, the commander of 29IB, expressed his condolences, saying, "Although they were enemies of the state, we share the sorrow and grief with the families of these victims of the CNT's misguided ideologies."
"We are committed to ensuring the proper care and integrity of the bodies," said Gargar.
Gargar even appealed to the remaining NPA members to surrender peacefully and safeguard their lives.
"There is much to be gained outside your group. The government is here to support you if you choose to change your path and surrender," said Gargar.
