Army’s 29IB honors slain Cafgu member

ARMY’S 29th Infantry Battalion gave full military honors to a slain Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member in RTR (Remedios Trinidad Romualdez) town in Agusan del Norte during his interment on April 28, 2023.

CAFGU member, identified as certain Cornelio Bersalona “Jun” Ubanan, 38, was reportedly killed by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a far-flung village in the said town.

Army’s military operations officer 1Lt. Jade Bryce Buñe said on Monday they honored Ubanan, for his patriotism.

CAFGU members were usually working alongside the soldiers in keeping the peace in remote villages facing threats from communist rebels, according to Buñe.

“We gave him a 21-gun salute rendered by our personnel,” said Buñe adding that his mother even received the Philippine flag when he was laid to rest at the town’s public cemetery.

Buñe said Ubanan, was gunned down by four assailants while they were heading to Dalicanan Creek, two kilometers away from their house for an early morning bath at Brgy Balang-Balang, same town on April 23, 2023.

The assailants in a statement said were members of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda, Guerilla Front 21, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Arnel Bangues alias “Dindo.”

The report added that the NPA rebels have claimed responsibility for the death of Ubanan.

Ubanan’s live-in partner Renalyn Kalipa said she was with him (Ubanan) when the incident happened.

“Wala talagang kalaban-laban yung asawa ko tinambangan nila kami tapos tinanong na “Ikaw si Jun no?” naglabas sila ng mga armas tapos tinutukan at walang pinagbabaril sa likod ang asawa ko saka sila dali-daling umalis na parang walang nangyari,” Kalipa said.

Kalipa said she witnessed how the NPA rebels gunned down her live-in partner despite begging them to spare his life.

Buñe did not mention if Ubanan was unarmed and had just left the house with his partner when they were waylaid by the communist rebels.

“We must all come together so that no more lives are lost.  Ma. Angelica Rosedell M Amante, Governor of Agusan del Norte said during the Community Dialogue 

This is the last chance that I will give to all of you to change. Take off your support on them (NPA), ” she said adding that they can use the government force against NPA supporters.

“I am serious, we need to protect the community, together with the barangay and the LGU so that we are not used by the terrorist group,” said Amante.

Meanwhile, Army’s 29IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Cresencio Gargar said the Philippine Army together with the Local Government Unit of Remedios T. Romualdez town will assist the bereaved family of Ubanan to avail his claims.

The role of the Cafgu as force multipliers is very important in maintaining peace and order in the area as part of the Integrated Territorial Defense System.

“We strongly condemn the brutal killing of CAA Cornelio Ubanan perpetrated by the communist rebels in broad daylight wherein he was shot multiple times at his back,” said Gargar adding, “Rest assured that we will not rest until justice is served to the perpetrators.”