Body of 1 slain rebel claimed, 6 others buried in Negros Occ town

The body of a slain man, who was allegedly a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, is claimed by his family while his six other companions are buried in Candoni town, Negros Occidental, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY — The body of a slain man, who was allegedly a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, was claimed by his family while his six other companions were buried in Candoni town, Negros Occidental on Friday, Nov. 22.

The remains of Jonel Saroa Anicito, 29, were claimed by his brother-in-law, according to Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson.

“The family of Anicito thought he was in Manila working as he had been gone for several months,” Javines said.

The Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (IB), in coordination with the Candoni local government, police, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, buried the six other slain rebels in a public cemetery in Barangay Poblacion West, Candoni on Friday.

READ: Soldiers stumble on body of slain ‘NPA rebel’ in Misamis Oriental

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They were identified by their aliases: Janine/Katat, Mark, Ping/Wanny, Fita, Nonoy, and Jacob.

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Anicito and these six unclaimed bodies were killed in an encounter with soldiers of the Army’s 47th and 15th IBs in Sitio Cogon, Barangay Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Recovered from the encounter site were five M-16 assault rifles, two AK 47 automatic rifles, a M653 assault rifle, grenade, and an improvised explosive device.

Lt. Col. Magno M. Mapalad III, 47th Infantry Battalion commander, reiterated the government’s call for peace.

“We urge the remaining communist terrorist group members to surrender and return to their families. The government is ready to support those who seek to reintegrate into society and pursue a peaceful life. It is not too late to choose a better path,” he said.