Remains of slain NPA turned over to family

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 22, 2023): Remains of slain NPA turned over to family (By MIKE CRISMUNDO)

BUTUAN CITY – The Army 401st Infantry (Unite N’ Fight) Brigade formally turned over the remains of a slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel to his family in Sitio Neptune, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

“Ka Maro,” political instructor of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad (SRSDG SL) Southland of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), was killed in an encounter with government troops on August 18 in Agusan del Sur.

The following day, August 19, barangay officials in La Perian, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur reported that a cadaver, believed to be that of the NPA, was discovered.

With the assistance of the Philippine National Police and Prosperidad local government unit, the cadaver was successfully extracted and was immediately transported to Mendoza Deathcare Services for appropriate disposition.

Ka Maro was transported through vehicles of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and was personally turned over to his immediate family by 2nd Lt. Jhen Sailyn de Guzman, acting commanding officer of the 41st Civil-Military Operations Company, 4th CMO Battalion.

Brig. Gen Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., commanding general of the 401st Brigade, accompanied by local officials and personnel of the Prosperidad police, met the brother of the slain rebel at the funeral parlor and personally conveyed his condolences and expressed their intention to extend necessary support.

Lorenzo said that extending assistance is in line with the Army’s strict adherence to the international humanitarian law and respect for human rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their affiliations.

“The involved authorities to include your Army, as a professional organization, took necessary measures to ensure that utmost respect and established protocols were accorded to the remains of the dead,” Lorenzo said, adding: “The aim is to assist the family and provide the deceased individual with a decent and proper burial.”

Ka Maro’s family thanked the 401st Brigade, the PNP, and Prosperidad LGU for the funeral assistance extended to them.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/21/remains-of-slain-npa-turned-over-to-family