Army identifies rebel’s remains in Isabela

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has identified the remains of a member of the New People’s Army (NPA), whose skeletons were found buried in Barangay Riverside, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Dec 2, 2020.

The remains of Randy Garsola of Barangay San Agustin were discovered following the revelation of a rebel returnee to the Army.

According to the Army, the rebel surrenderer disclosed to them that Garsola was reportedly summarily executed two years ago on orders of Adidas Acero, his platoon leader, who was arrested in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Sept 19 this year.

Garsola was killed after he signified to surrender to the government due to extreme hunger and he was longing to see his family, the Army said based on the revelations of the rebel surrenderer.

Major General Eric Vinoya, 3ID commander, in a statement, said that Garsola deserves to have a decent burial despite joining the communist-terrorist organization.

“He is just a victim of NPA’s lies and deceptions. A Negrense who also valued family but deprived of liberty to visit his loved ones by his own comrade,” he added.

Vinoya said that what happened to Garsola is an eye-opener to all NPA members who are still hiding in the mountains.