ARMY’S 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) on Thursday turned over to the local government of Balingasag town in Misamis Oeiental, the body of the New People’s Army (NPA) member who was killed in a clash with the military in Barangay Silo-o in Balingasag town Wednesday, a military officials said.
4th Infantry Division (4ID) public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the slain NPA rebel was abandoned by his comrades during the encounter with the government troops of 58IB on December 29 at said barangay.
Cordero said the 58IB also turned over the cadaver of Leonido Pacheco alias Macdong through the Balingasag police.
Cordero said the cadaver was immediately buried this morning, (Dec. 30) at Samay, Balingasag.
58IB civil-military officer 1st Lieutenant Jefferson Mariano said the dead NPA (Pacheco) is a resident of Brgy Samay Sentro, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.
Mariano said Pacheco was a team leader of Mr Clean under Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq, Northern Central Mindanao Region Command (NCMRC).
The cadaver was transported by the 58IB Troopers from the encounter site to Samay, Balingasag for proper turn-over to the family, Mariano said.
The police authorities brought the cadaver to Ranas Funeral Homes for proper disposition and turned over to the family for a decent wake, said Mariano.
“Despite their loss, the family expressed their gratitude for the assistance provided by the government,” said Mariano.
58IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Canatoy said regardless of Pacheco’s organization, he still needs a decent burial.
We are human rights advocates, and we respect his (Pacheco) cadaver, Canatoy said in a statement.
“The government gave opportunities to our brothers and sisters who already realized that they are being exploited by the NPAs, acvording to Canatoy.
“I encourage the remnants of the armed groups to return to the folds of the law and join your former comrades and start a new life with your families in the mainstream society,” Canatoy added. (Ben Balce)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
