• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The remains of a New People’s Army rebel was accorded a decent burial by the Philippine Army on May 6, after he was not claimed by his next of kin.
The cadaver of Tony Pahayahay, with aliases of Aldren and Redol, 53, was left behind at the encounter site by his fleeing comrades, following an armed encounter with 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers on May 1 in Barangay Humay Humay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Pahayahay, a remnant of the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerilla front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, was positively identified by his former comrades who had surrendered to the government, according to a statement issued by the 62IB.
Two assault rifles, a M16 and M4, were among the war materiel and personal belongings recovered from the encounter site.
Despite no family members claiming his remains, the Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (GCTF-ELCAC) and 62IB, in the spirit of humanity and reconciliation, ensured a proper and dignified burial for Pahayahay, a resident of Brgy. Bulado, Guihulngan City – highlighting the government’s commitment to uphold human rights and respect for life, regardless of affiliation, said Lt. Col.Evelio Ilanga III, 62IB commander, in a statement.
Ilanga urged rebel remnants to embrace the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and return to their families and communities.
“There is no future in armed struggle—and those who follow the same path (of Pahayahay) will likely suffer the same fate,” he added.
On a related note, seven suspected NPA rebels also died in an encounter with Army soldiers on April 27 in Brgy. Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.*
