Kalinaw News: Body of former CTG leader in Southern Mindanao, returned to family by 10 Infantry Division troops

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 7, 2021): Body of former CTG leader in Southern Mindanao, returned to family by 10 Infantry Division troops



MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO – Former top New People’s Army commander Ariane Jane Ocheta alias Ka Marikit said internal conflict among its leaders inside Sub-Regional Committee in Southern Mindanao continues to plague the group and was the main reason for the demise of one of its leaders this year.

Following a tip from recently surrendered former rebels alias Piyot and alias Emil who also buried the remains of Daniel Bandalan alias Ka Regoy, troops of 1003rd Infantry Brigade together with 3rd Infantry Battalion immediately exhumed the body at Sta. Felomina, Quezon, Bukidnon last December 6, 2021.

Ka Regoy was the former Commanding Officer of Guerilla Front 55 under Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Terrorist Group New People’s Army.

Two newly deployed S70i Black Hawk helicopters were used to transport members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), relatives, and the media to the site.

3rd Infantry Battalion Commander, Lt Col Juvenal Tayamen, said that based from the revelation of former rebels, Ka Regoy died of tuberculosis while sleeping in his hammock about four months ago and was buried only knee-deep.

“Due to their hiding in the hinterlands of Bukidnon, Ka Regoy’s group was not able to give him proper medical attention until his situation had become worse which led to his painful death. The sad thing was his family was never informed of his death by the Communist Terrorist Group.” Lt Col Tayamen said.

According to Hermolina Bandalan, Ka Regoy’s aunt, also an Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in their area in Quezon, Bukidnon, troops of 3rd Infantry Battalion immediately notified them about Ka Regoy’s demise while inside the Communist Terrorist Group. Hermolina also said that their last meeting with Ka Regoy was in 2013 and expressed disappointment towards the CTG.

“Ang akong pangutana kay Regoy, nganong ni sulod pani siya sa kalihukan nga ang iyang uyuan gipatay man gani sa mismong kalihukan gihapon.” (My question to Ka Regoy is that why did he still join the armed movement when in fact his uncle was killed by the same armed group?), Hermolina added.

Furthermore, former Ka Regoy’s comrade and also Guerilla Front 55 Secretary, Ka Marikit, said the arrogance of the CPP-NPA-NDF leadership alongside its internal conflict among its cadres are the reasons of the demise of Ka Regoy.

“Namatay po si Ka Regoy dahil po sa internal conflict sa loob ng unit dahil sa mga personal na problema nila Ka Berto, Ka Lira, Ka Jose, Ka Mandi dahil hindi na nila kayang humawak ng mga kasamahan at mismong masa, nahihirapan na silang analisahin ang bagong kumpas ng gyera.” (Ka Regoy died because of the internal conflict inside the unit because of some personal problem of Ka Berto, Ka Lira, Ka Jose, Ka Mandi because they cannot handle their men anymore and the masses. They had a hard time analyzing the new dynamics of war), Ka Marikit added.

According to Ka Marikit, the unit knew that Ka Regoy will not survive his illness but the SRGU remains firm in not giving the sick comrade a medical leave worrying for a possible capture by government troops despite the limitations of the medical capability of the CTG.

“The troops of 1003rd Brigade extends its sympathy to the family of Ka Regoy for his passing. On the other hand, we would like to express our gratitude to the former rebels who helped in the retrieval of Ka Regoy’s body, so that we could prepare a proper and decent burial for him.” 1003rd Brigade Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said.

10th Infantry Division Commander MGen Ernesto C Torres Jr said that the death of Ka Regoy in the hands of his own comrades is a reflection of the communist terrorist group’s selfishness with no regard for needs and the value of human life.

“Despite the significant contribution of Ka Regoy to their group, the leadership of Communist Terrorist Group in Southern Mindanao neglected the value of their comrade’s life in exchange for their self-gain. The Agila Division has rescued numerous former CTG members and provided sufficient medical attention which not only save their lives but also transformed their way of living.” MGen Torres added.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/body-of-former-ctg-leader-in-southern-mindanao-returned-to-family-by-10-infantry-division-troops/