• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
One of the four suspected New People’s Army rebels who died on March 1, in a gun battle with Army soldiers in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, was identified by the Philippine Army as a resident of Brgy. Sicaba, Cadiz City.
In a statement issued by the 94th Infantry Battalion, the slain rebel was identified as Andre Cose, 43, whose cadaver was positively identified by his sister, in coordination with the Himamaylan City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Four cadavers, including that of Cose, who were left behind by their fleeing comrades at the encounter site, were buried by the 94IB and CSWDO of Himamaylan, after they were left unclaimed several days after the gun battle.
The encounter also yielded two M16 rifles attached to M203 grenade launchers, two AK47 assault rifles, a hand grenade, four rounds of M203 grenade launcher ammunition, four M16 magazines, seven AK47 magazines, and assorted ammunition.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, extended his sympathies to the family of Cose, and said he is hoping that the death of four NPA members will serve a reminder to rebel remnants that their choice to join the armed struggle is a “dead end”.*
