Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 1, 2021): Army turns over body of slain NPA, gives aid to his family
CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental – The NPA killed during an encounter with the 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Troopers in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental last August 28, 2021, was given a decent and proper turn-over to his family at a funeral home in Barangay Lawaan, August 31, 2021.
The encounter that occurred in the hinterlands of Barangay Lawaan, Gingoog City, last August 28 resulted to the troops’ recovery of three high-powered firearms and fatal death of Aldo Cahinlo Higyawan, alias Ramon, a member of Platoon Ryan, SRC1, NCMRC, 38 years old, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
His family travelled from their hometown in San Luis, Malitbog to Gingoog City to finally meet and bring Aldo’s body home. In this tragic and unfortunate meeting, the troops of 58IB escorted Aldo’s aunts, Elsa Jalinon Higyawan and Elsie Higyawan Comcom.
Elsie Comcom revealed that after Aldo left home few years ago, he did not contact or connect with his family in any way. They only found out later through hear-says that Aldo had actually joined the armed group. Since then, they long hoped Aldo would change his mind and return to the folds of the law, instead of fighting for the wrong ideology.
Elsie and Elsa thanked the government for all of its support and aid to their family, particularly for facilitating the long-awaited, yet heartbreaking reunification of Aldo’s body with his family members. “Nangayo kog daghang pasalamat sa inyo kay kung dili pa kamo ang nasa gobyerno dili na namo mahibaw-an ug asa na sya dapit. Dako gyud ang among pasalamat sa inyo. Nadawat na namo na sir ang nahitabo sa iyaha. Kay kung kami ang paisturyahon, kaming mga ginikanan, mga ayaan, supak man gyud mi ana sa iyang gibuhat. Salamat gyud kaayo kay bisag patayng lawas na lang nakaabot sa amo, nakita gihapon namo sya sa katapusan nga higayon aron mahatagan ug maayong paglubong. Ako lang ika-advice sa mga kauban pa ni Aldo sa daotang grupo, kung mahimo, mag surender na lang mo kay dili sad namo gusto na ma ing-ana mo sa iya nga nakauli dinhi sa amo, sa iyang pamilya, patay na. Inyo pong huna-hunaa ang inyong mga pamilya pareha sa amo, nga sakit kaayo sa among buot kaning nahitabo kay Aldo. Nagpasalamat gyud mi sa gobyerno sa mga hinabang ninyo. Salamat kaayo.”
(I want to express my gratitude because we would not know where he is if it weren’t for the government. We owe you a debt of gratitude. What happened to him has already been accepted by us. Because, if we’re being honest, as parents and aunts, we strongly oppose what he was doing. Thank you very much for allowing us to see him one last time and give him a decent burial, even though he is now deceased. If at all feasible, to Aldo’s armed group comrades, I urge you now to surrender because we don’t want you to suffer the same fate as Aldo, who was unable to return home to his family, alive. Please consider your families like ours; the sorrow that this tragedy has inflicted on our family is almost unimaginable. We sincerely appreciate the government’s assistance. Thank you very much.)
Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion stated, “Yet again, another life has been lost in the war against the failed ideology of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs). I am appealing to those members of the NPA who are still hiding in the hinterlands to come down in peace, lay down your arms, and return to the folds of the law while there is still time and opportunity. Put an end to this way of life; constant suffering in vain, with little regard for your own life or the lives of others. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
“Yet another life has been lost in the struggle against the failed ideology of the Communist NPA Terrorists,” said Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion. I’m urging those NPA members still hiding in the hinterlands to come down in peace, lay down their arms, and return to the folds of the law while there’s still time. Put an end to this way of life: endless suffering in vain, with no concern for your own or others’ lives. To the grieving family of Aldo Higyawan, we express our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to you.”
Aldo Higyawan’s body was transferred to his hometown in San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon, to be given a decent burial by his family.
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