CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental: After 30-years, he reunited with his family, not anymore in flesh, but as skeletal remains of a person executed at the height of the communist atrocities back in 1987 here.
Family members were frustrated, but overwhelmed when the military turned over Friday the skeletal remains of Menecio Himalao, of Barangay Madaging, Claveria, Misamis Oriental
“We were waiting for him (Himalao)) for a long time with the hope that he is alive,” a teary-eyed brother told the military and police.
Lt. Jefferson M. Mariano, the civil military officer (CMO) of the Claveria-based 58 Infantry Brigade, said that Himalao’s skeletal remains were retrieved in the remote mountain village of Bulahan in Claveria Thursday.
He said that a former rebel disclosed about the exact place where Himalao’s body was dumped after the communist rebels executed him in 1987.
The police intelligence who joined in the search and retrieval operations confirmed that Himalao was an “asset” when killed in his 30’s in 1987.
Lt. Col. Ricky L. Canatoy, Commanding Officer, of the army’s 58IB, said that Himalao’s murder gave credence to the reports that the communist rebels were engaged in murder and execution to perpetuate an ideology sans respect on human rights. -0-
