Remains of NPA rebel exhumed a year after death in Davao Oro

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12, 2023): Remains of NPA rebel exhumed a year after death in Davao Oro (By Che Palicte)

EXHUMED. The exhumed remains of Leonardo Ellera Sr., a former member of the New People's Army, are given final blessings before burial at a public cemetery in Mabini, Davao de Oro, on Thursday (May 11, 2023). Ellera, a former squad leader of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 2, died of hypothermia on April 27, 2022. (Photo from 1001Bde)

DAVAO CITY – Authorities exhumed the remains of a News People’s Army (NPA) rebel in Maragusan town, Davao de Oro province, a military official said Friday.

In a statement, Col. Ronnie Babac, the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade (101Bde) commander, identified the fatality as Leonardo Ellera Sr., a former squad leader of the dismantled NPA Guerrilla Front 2 (DGF-2)

Ellera’s remains were unearthed in Barangay Coronobe, Maragusan, on Thursday.

Babac said the exhumation was made possible through the information relayed by a certain Jeg, the former commanding officer of the DGF-2, and was witnessed by the deceased’s son, Leonardo Jr.

Jeg surrendered to the government on June 2022 with his party wife, Dan-dan, the former secretary of the DGF-2, and two others.

He revealed that Ellera died of hypothermia on April 27, 2022.

Relentless combat operations conducted by security forces forced them to bury the latter in a knee-deep unmarked grave, Jeg said.

Ellera's remains were immediately transported to his residence in Barangay Del Pilar, Mabini, Davao de Oro, and received by his wife, Elena.

He was laid to rest at the Mabini public cemetery in the afternoon of the same day.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201387