DPAO 8
ORMOC CITY – The remains of a New People’s Army (NPA) were exhumed by government forces in a forested area of Sitio Silao Bato, Brgy. Kahupian, Sogod, Southern Leyte on Saturday, April 6.
The victim was identified as Teodulo Arbuyas who was known as “Teng/Enting” of Platoon 1, Island Committee 47 – LEVOX (IC 47- LEVOX) of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, who was reportedly buried by his comrades according to the former rebel who surrendered to the Army earlier.
The combined elements of the Army’s 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, Southern Leyte Provincial Forensic Unit, Southern Leyte Police Mobile Force Company, and the Sogod Municipal Police Station retrieved the cadaver of the victim after former rebel John Lamadora, revealed the location of his body and the nature of his death.
Arbuyas purportedly died of Hepatitis due to the negligence of the communist leadership. The victim was left untreated, and his death was intentionally undisclosed by the leadership of his NPA unit to his family.
Lamadora revealed that Arbuyas had expressed his desire to surrender but was not allowed by his NPA commander, as the communist movement rejected the proposition that he might receive proper medical treatment with the help of the Army and the government.
Arbuyas was positively identified by his wife through the tattoo on his chest. “It is a must that Arbuyas shall receive a decent burial and allow his family to grieve. It is our mandate to serve the people and extend necessary assistance to the victims of the armed struggle even after death,” local Army Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Gabia said.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, the Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade extends his condolences to the family of Arbuyas while being appalled by the treatment of the terrorist movement to their comrades. “I felt horrified upon learning the desires of Teng or Enting to go down so that his illness will be treated. It only shows the true terrorist color of the NPA Commanders who do not value human life. These people do not care about the feelings of their members’ loved ones,” BGen Vestuir said.
Vestuir thanked Lamadora while reiterating his call for the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed steuggle and go down to live a normal life through the Friends Rescued through Engagement with their Families (FReE Families) program of the Brigade that capacitates the family members and integrates their roles to the surrender of their relatives.
“I commend former rebel John Lamadora who helped our troops locate the body of Arbuyas so that the family can give him a decent and proper burial. I once again call for the peaceful surrender of the remaining members of IC 47 – LEVOX to go down and live peacefully. I assure the safety and security of the NPA members who will embrace peace,” Vestuir added.
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