• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion extended help to the family of another New People’s Army rebel killed in an encounter on February 21 in Sitio Masulao, Brgy.Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
The 79IB, through its spokesman, 1Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, met with the family of Emaryn Pastedio, alias Jandie, a medical officer of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, who was among those killed in series and decisive engagements in Escalante City.
Samoza said that Ka Jandie was still a minor when she was recruited by the NPA, through propaganda, lies and deception.
He said they had a meaningful dialogue and discussions with the family of Ka Jandie on their present situations and future plans, freeing them from rebel influence through an appropriate psychological intervention.
The 79IB also provided cash assistance, a sack of rice, and grocery items to the family to augment their needs.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB, who extended his sympathy to the family of Ka Jandie, “We feel immense grief and anguish in witnessing a life that was lost due to an absurd ideology that have taken advantage of the vulnerability of the people from the targeted sector.”
“Again, we are not enemies. We, your Army and government, are here to serve and willing to extend a helping hand to the victims of NPA propaganda, and rebuild the divisions that they have created between us and the local populace,” he stressed.
The 79IB also reached out to the family of Jose Caramihan, one of the three suspected New People’s Army rebels who died in a series of encounters also on February 21 in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City.*
