Families of slain NPA rebels receive P20,000 aid

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 on Monday provided financial assistance totaling P20,000 to the families of two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were killed in clashes in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, last February.

Captain Dan Carlo Samoza, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), said each family received P10,000 in cash and food packs during the distribution at the DSWD-6 field office here, in the presence of officials from Barangays Pinapugasan and Jonob-Jonob.

The beneficiaries were the families of alias “Joe” and alias “Jandie,” both alleged members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF)-D of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who died during a series of encounters in Barangay Pinapugasan from February 21 to 27 this year.

In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Calaoagan, 79th IB commander, reiterated their commitment to the people, emphasizing that the government and the Army are dedicated to helping and never abandoning them.

“We are united in ensuring the protection and delivery of services to vulnerable sectors, the poor, and the helpless. We will sustain this commitment and uphold it,” Calaoagan added.