The volley of 21-gun salute broke the sepulchral silence of
the graveyards as the bodies of Loreto town Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl
were laid to rest here Wednesday.
Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Cagayan De Oro
City based 4th Infantry Division, said on Thursday that people from all walks
of life braved the scorching heat during a funeral march toward the final
resting place of the Otazas at the Uraya
Memorial Park in Bancasi, 12
kilometers northwest of Butuan
City
The military and relatives denounced the communist New
People’s Army (NPA) who admitted the killing of Otaza and his son Daryl out of
trumped up charges, which were decided by the rebel’s “kangaroo court,” Martinez
“Everyone viewed him (Otaza) as a man of compassion and have
a strong political will. Otaza marched his people towards his vision of peace
and development,” Otaza’s wife Ligaya recalled during the eulogy Wednesday.
“To my son Daryl, though it is hard to accept, we will miss
you. Thank you for taking good care of your siblings. I know God has a reason
why this thing happens,” Ligaya stammered in tears and pain as she took a last
glimpse of Daryl’s casket.
Otaza, a former NPA rebel, is best remembered for the
surrender of 246 NPA rebels in Agusan Del Sur and since then has partnered with
national and local government in bringing the services closer to the people,
especially among the tribal communities.
In his eulogy, Maj. Gen Oscar Lactao, Commander of the
4IDth, said that he was proud of Otaza who died as a “hero” and vowed to
continue protecting and preserving the gains of the former town mayor.
Lactao also warned the NPA rebels of the military’s
commitment to support the people of Loreto and Agusan Del Sur amid relentless
efforts to run after the killers of Otaza and his son in order to attain
justice for the fallen heroes.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=821206
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.