ARMY TURNS OVER NPA CADAVER TO FAMILY

By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

The troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army formally handed over the cadaver of the slain New People’s Army (NPA) member to his immediate family on January 4, 2021. The turnover was also supported by the city government of Butuan City and the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO). It can be recalled that a member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), identified as Rommie Gumansil Mansilyohan alias Alas/ Alon, a resident of Sitio Pinikalan, Barangay San Pedro, San Luis, Agusan del Norte was killed in an encounter with the troops of 23rd IB on December 30, 2020, in KM 5, Purok 26, Lawaan, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City. The cadaver was painstakingly carried by the government troops from the encounter site then brought to the funeral parlor in Butuan City for proper documentation and disposition. Thereafter, it was brought to the covered court of Barangay Tungao for burial thinking that the said remains will no longer be claimed by his loved ones. Moments before the said internment, the family of the late Alias Alas/Alon finally arrived in Tungao to claim his remains. Liza Gumansil Mansilyohan, the mother of Alias Alas/Alon said that her son was already missing for one year. Despite the loss, the family expressed their gratitude to the government for the assistance they have given to them. Lt. Col Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Commanding Officer of 23IB once again expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of Alias Alas/Alon. “Another family cried for the loss of their loved one because of the deception and lies brought by the CTG’s,” Paulo said. He also reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA in the area to consider the offer of the government, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) and surrender. “May this serve as a lesson to the remnants of CPP-NPA Terrorist Groups. The government is eager to finish this 52 years of insurgency. Your Army will always be the protector of our land and is ready to use its force against CTGs who will go against the government. Nevertheless, we are willing to accept anyone who would want to go back to the folds of the law. The government troops will assist you to avail the ECLIP as you embrace your new life,” Paulo added. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)