BRGY POBLACION, Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur-The Bayugan City Task Force –ELCAC and the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion provided a decent burial to the unidentified male CPP-NPA terrorist, who died during the armed engagement at uninhabited area in Brgy Mt. Carmel, Bayugan City, Agusan Del Sur.
On March 09, 2021, while conducting security operation in the area, the troops of 65IB engaged more or less ten (10) CPP-NPA-Terrorists in a 20-minute firefight at around 2:50 o’clock in the afternoon which resulted to the death of one (1) unidentified communist terrorist and the recovery of one (1) AK47 rifle, five (5) Backpacks with personal belongings, magazines for AK47 rifle, magazines for M14 rifle, one Anti-Personnel Mine (APM), one (1) Fragmentation Grenade, two (2) Commercial radios, two (2) cellular Phones, hundred of rounds of ammunitions for AK47, M14 and M16 rifles, accessories for landmines, assorted medical supplies and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
The cadaver of the said rebel was found by the troops after it was abandoned by his fleeing comrades. Parish Priest of Bayugan Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was requested to perform religions rites to the cadaver before it was brought to the funeral home and then turned over to City Police Station (CPS) Bayugan for a decent funeral and identification.
On March 13, 2021, the unidentified rebel was finally laid to rest after being given a decent burial at the public cemetery of Bayugan.
The LGU of Bayugan City headed by Mayor Kirk Asis commended the troops of the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion for protecting the civilian populace in Barangay Mt. Carmel, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur last March 9, 2021 (Tuesday) for thwarting the plan of the communist group which resulted to the death of said unidentified member of New People’s Army (NPA).
Mayor Asis said that, “On behalf of the City Government of Bayugan, I would like to offer our sincere condolences and may the soul of the said deceased rest in peace.” The mayor of Bayugan City has instructed his administrative personnel to ensure a proper and decent burial despite being a part of the communist-terrorist group.
“Now, I’d like to call the attention of NPA fighters and supporters to lay down their arms and avail of the government’s livelihood assistance program to start a normal life,” Mayor Asis added.
Lt Col Emerson P. De Vera, Commanding Officer of 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion, said, “Another life was wasted by joining the CPP-NPA Terrorist Group. The deceased CNT is also a victim of CPP-NPA-Terorists Group who continuously spread lies and deceive its recruits. We are thankful to the residents of Mt. Carmel and the nearby barangay of Bayugan City for the information they provided about the presence of the terrorists in the area. The armed clash indicates that they no longer want the communist terrorists to deceive and take advantage of them.”
LTC DE VERA offered his condolences to the bereaved family and extended his gratitude to Bayugan CTF-ELCAC for its commitment to end the Local Communist Armed Conflict and achieve inclusive and sustainable peace in Bayugan City.
“Nananawagan ako sa mga NPA na nasa bundok pa, na sumuko na kayo para wala ng masayang na buhay at gumising na sa mga maling ideolohiya at tanggapin ang tulong ng gobyerno habang kayo ay buhay pa. Hindi kagaya ni brother (killed NPA), ang tulong ng gobyerno na kanyang nakamtan ay ang ihatid na lamang siya sa kanyang huling hantungan,” Lieutenant Colonel De Vera ended.
