CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--As part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) efforts in adhering to human rights and giving respect to the lives of fellow Filipinos, an NPA killed during an encounter with the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Troopers (58th IB) in Gingoog City 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 GIngoog resulted in the troops’ recovery of three high-powered firearms and the fatal death of 38-year old Aldo Cahinlo “ alias Ramon” Higyawan, a member of Platoon Ryan, SRC1, NCMRC, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
Higyawan’s family traveled from their hometown in San Luis to Gingoog after being contacted by the 58th IB to retrieve and bring Aldo’s body home.
According to Elsie Higyawan-Comcom, one of Aldo’s aunts who retrieved the body, their nephew left home years ago and cut off contact with their family, only to resurface as part of the Communist Terrorist Group-New People’s army (CTG-NPA), since then they longed for Aldo to change his mind and return to the folds of the law instead of fighting for a losing war.
Heartbreaking Reunion. Higyawan’s family traveled from their hometown in San Luis to Gingoog after being contacted by the 58th IB to retrieve and bring Aldo’s body home. (58th IB)
“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,” said Higyawan-Comcom.
(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)
Despite overwhelming public support and consistent victory in firefights against the CTG-NPA, Commanding Officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy shares his grief for losing another Filipino brotherhood because of misguided principles.
“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 their 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,” he said. (58IB/PIA10)
