Kin claim bodies of 2 ‘NPA rebels’

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 27): Kin claim bodies of 2 ‘NPA rebels’

‘UNKNOWN DEAD FROM NEG. OCC.’

Family members of two of the four suspected New People’s Army rebels killed in the latest clash with soldiers in the mountains of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental Saturday, claimed their bodies from a funeral parlor in the city yesterday.

The family members of the suspected rebel who were identified by the Philippine Army as Diosdado Dacal-dacal, in his 30s, married and a resident of Cadlum in Barangay Nagbalaye, Sta. Catalina town; and Feliz Yanoc, 33, married, of Sitio Avocado, Barangay Talalak, brought with them credentials, such as marriage and birth certificates to prove their claim.

They were accompanied by Lisa Badayos, of the human rights advocacy group, Karapatan.

The bodies of Dacal-dacal, Yanoc and two still unidentified persons were found in adjacent locations Sunday morning in Sitio Pataw, Barangay Sto. Niño in Tanjay City, after about three hours of sporadic gun battles between government troops and suspected NPA members Saturday afternoon.

Yanoc’s son, 17, said he had not seen his father for a long time. The eldest of seven siblings, he claimed that the last time he remembers seeing his father was when he was five years old.

He said his mother was not able to accompany him in claiming the body of Yanoc, whose true name, as reflected in a marriage certificate, was Gerobert Yanoc, because she had given birth only on May 8.

Dacal-dacal’s wife, Cita, and her 13-year-old daughter claimed the body of Diosdado. They declined to be interviewed and shied away from the camera. They were accompanied by the wife of Jessie Dacal-dacal, Diosdado’s brother, who was captured in an encounter April 3 in Balayong, Pamplona, where two other suspected rebels were killed.

Jessie was also in Tanjay City yesterday afternoon to help identify and facilitate the release of the body of his brother.

Badayos said that, after clearance is given, the bodies will be brought to their homes in Sta. Catalina.

The two other casualties, who remain unidentified, are believed to be from Negros Occidental, military sources said.

If unclaimed in the next few days, the Philippine Army will ask for the assistance of the Tanjay City government to bury the bodies, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said.

Patrimonio said troops continue with their operations in the vicinity of the encounter site in Sitio Pitawa, and he vowed to get the remainder of the NPA’s South East Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros. With the deaths of the four men, Patrimonio said the total strength of armed regulars of the SEF-KRN has been reduced to 19 members.

He said that, of the 24 people that the Army troopers encountered in Pitawa, 19 were armed regulars, and five civilians, and one courier, the wife of an alleged rebel, a daughter, and two alleged helpers or supporters.

Patrimonio identified the two “helpers” as Pedring, 33, and his brother, Rodel, 18, both surnamed Biton and residents of Sto. Niño, Tanjay.

The two, believed to be mass-base supporters of the NPA, or Yunit Militia, surrendered to authorities during the encounter, Patrimonio said.

He appealed to the remnants of the NPA’s SEF-KRN to surrender so that lasting peace may be attained in Negros Oriental.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/May/27/negor1.htm