LIANGA, Surigao del Sur -- The remains of the communist part of the Philippines-new people's army (CPP-NPA) terrorist (CNT), who died during the recent encounter with government troops, was properly turned over to the immediate family in Sitio Neptune, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur by the troops of the 401st Infantry "Unite N' Fight" Brigade on August 20, 2023.
Accordingly, the deceased CNT was identified as Melvin Jacinto Tabugol, alias Maro, a political instructor (PI) of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad (SRSDG SL) SouthLand of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). His remain was transported by the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SF) vehicle and was assisted and led by 2nd Lieutenant Jhen Sailyn De Guzman, acting commanding officer of the 41st Civil-Military Operations Company, 4th CMO Battalion.
Based on the report, on August 19, 2023 in Barangay La Perian, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, punong barangay Vicente T. Cabag Jr., reported that a cadaver and believed to be a CNT was discovered a day after the encounter of combined troops of 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB) and 41st Division Reconnaissance Company (41DRC) against more or less 30 CNTs in the said area.
With the assistance of the Philippine National Police and the local government unit of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur province, the cadaver was successfully extracted in the morning of August 19 and immediately transported to Mendoza Deathcare Services for appropriate disposition.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Francisco F Lorenzo Jr., accompanied by the local officials and personnel of the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Properidad, Agusan del Sur met with Dondon Tabugol, brother of Maro at the Mendoza DeathCare Services and personally conveyed his condolences and expressed their intention to extend necessary support. He said that this is in line with the Army’s strict adherence to international humanitarian law and the respect on human rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their affiliations.
“The involved authorities including the Philippine Army, as a professional organization, took necessary measures to ensure that utmost respect and established protocols were accorded to the remains of the dead CNT, including the assistance to the family and provision of the deceased individual with a decent and proper burial,” BGen. Lorenzo added.
On the other hand, the family of Maro expressed their sincere gratitude to the 401st Brigade troopers, the PNP, and LGU of Prosperidad for the proper funeral care and the assistance extended to them. (Major Alvin G Nangkil, CMO- 401st Bde./NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)
