Ex-rebel’s remains found in Isabela after comrade’s revelation

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Authorities found the remains of an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Riverside, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Monday, following the revelation of a former rebel who recently surrendered to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB).

Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Manongdo, head of the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc), said the rebel surrenderer revealed to the military the area where his comrade was buried two years ago.

Manongdo said human skeletons were buried in a four-and-a half foot grave in the mountainous area of the village.

Manongdo said they assisted the personnel of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and the soldiers on their way to the area.

Manongdo said a family claimed the remains, but authorities need to validate the identity first.

We have to conduct a DNA examination to be sure but that depends on the request of the alleged family, he added.

Manongdo also said they cannot tell if the dead rebel was murdered or died of natural causes.

“We don’t know the whole story about the victim’s death,” he said, adding that investigation is ongoing.

“We don’t know the cause of his death. What we know so far was that legitimate member ng NPA ang nagturo kasi alam niya kung saan nakalibing based na din sa revelation niya,” Manongdo said.

Manongdo said the two rebels were reportedly former members of the Central Negros 1 based in Negros Oriental.