PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Troops of the 401st Infantry “Unite N’ Fight” Brigade, under the leadership of Brigadier General Francisco F Lorenzo Jr, has formally turned-over the remains of the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT), who died in an encounter with government troops last August 18, 2023, to his immediate family at Sitio Neptune, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
The remains of the CNT identified as Melvin Jacinto Tabugol, alias Maro, Political Instructor (PI) of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad (SRSDG SL) SouthLand of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) was transported utilizing the vehicles of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and was personally turned-over by 2nd Lieutenant Jhen Sailyn D De Guzman, the Acting Commanding Officer of the 41st Civil-Military Operations Company, 4th CMO Battalion.
It can be recalled that on August 19, 2023, Brgy. La Perian Chairman Hon. Vicente T. Cabag Jr. in Prosperidad, ADS reported that a cadaver, believed to be a CNT, was discovered a day after an encounter of combined troops of 75IB and 41DRC against more or less 30 CNTs in the same area. With the assistance of the PNP and LGU of Prosperidad, the cadaver was successfully extracted in the morning of August 19 and was immediately transported to Mendoza Deathcare Services for appropriate disposition.
Meanwhile, BGen Lorenzo accompanied by the local officials and personnel of the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Properidad, Agusan del Sur met with Mr Dondon Tabugol, brother of “Maro” at the Mendoza DeathCare Services and personally conveyed his condolences and express their intention to extend necessary support. He said that this is in line with the Army’s strict adherence to the international humanitarian law and to the respect of human rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their affiliations.
“The involved authorities to include your 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. The aim is to assist the family and provide the deceased individual with a decent and proper burial,” BGen Lorenzo added.
On the other hand, the family of “Maro” have expressed their sincere gratitude to the 401st Brigade troopers, the PNP, and LGU of Properidad for the proper funeral care and the assistance extended to them.
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