Baggao, Cagayan – Duped about good life and many other false promises, hundreds of men have joined leftist groups, sacrificing their freedom and living deep in the mountains for years.
Some might be lucky that they already surrendered and are living a good life as they were assisted by the government when they returned to the fold of the law, but not for a former squad leader who is part of the Squad 3 platoon of the East Committee Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan.
Francisco Reyes also known as ‘Kumander Gundo’ was part of the group that clashed with the government troops earlier this year in Cagayan.
He is from Masical, Baggao, Cagayan. He joined the rebel movement in 2004 and was active in their group until March 2023.
Based on the narratives of other former rebels who took part in the mass surrender on June 2, ‘alias Gundo’ fell into a cliff while running away during said clash and was simply abandoned by his colleagues and buried somewhere else.
His comrade did not even inform his family of what happened to him.
With the information given by the former rebels, the Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, and the Philippine National Police proceeded to the dense mountains of Sitio Antang, Barangay Santa Margarita, Baggao.
There, they excavated the remains of ‘Alyas Gundo’ for it to be given a decent wake and burial and handed over to his family.
His body was successfully brought down from the mountains Tuesday, June 27.
“Bilang mga Pilipino, minarapat nating i-recover ang kanyang bangkay upamg mabigyan ng disenteng libing at ma-turn over sa kanyang pamilya,” Lt. Col. Magtanggol Panopio of the 77th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement.
The 5th Infantry Division, meantime, contacted his family, and his remains were immediately brought to a funeral home in barangay San Jose, Baggao, which is said to have been visited by his family immediately.
“Kami po sa Philippine Army ay nakikiramay sa pagkamatay ng kanilang mahal sa buhay. Tayo po sa Philippine Army katuwang ang LGU officials lalo na sa Lalawigan ng Cagayan ay patuloy na nagsasagawa ng iba’t ibang programa upang mahikayat ang natitira pang miyembro ng teroristang CPP-NPA-NDF na magbalik-loob at mamuhay nang tahimik,” Magtanggol conveyed.
Magtanggol further urged the remaining members of the terrorist group to surrender and help the government instead.
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