Army extends help to slain rebel’s family

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 12): Army extends help to slain rebel’s family

THE 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Negros Occidental province extended assistance to the family and relatives of the late Julia Tabat, a top cadre of the New People’s Army (NPA) who died during an encounter with the government troops in Barangay East Candoni, Candoni, Negros Occidental last October 30, 2012. Tabat, who goes by the names Gab and Pinay in the NPA movement, was a medical staff of NPA’s Southwest Front remnants in southern Negros. The military provided assorted food stuff and coffee during the wake and transportation assistance during the funeral which the families and relatives of the late NPA rebel warmly welcomed. The personnel from the 47 IB even joined the funeral last November 4, 2012 as a gesture of reconciliation to the family of late Julia Tabat. According to Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Sosmeña, the battalion commander of the 47 IB, Julia Tabat was not singled-out in this operation but it was directed against the armed group which at that time was conducting training to their new recruits on medical expedients and landmine warfare. There is nothing personal in the fight against lawlessness, he stressed. The Army will always respond to the people’s call to put a stop to armed struggle and free the young and innocent victims from wanton recruitment of the rebel armed group, according to Sosmeña. “The government is opening its arms to help insurgents who are willing to return to the fold of law and start a new life with the local livelihood assistance program. Marami na ang naka-avail nito at ngayon ay nagbabagong buhay na. But for those who chose to fight it out, they will be dealt with by the full force of the law,” Sosmeña said....

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/11/12/army-extends-help-slain-rebel-s-family-252872