Bodies of slain rebels in Escalante recovered, identified

The bodies of the fallen rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) have been brought down from the encounter site in the Sitio Mansulao, Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City Saturday afternoon.

Authorities identified the three rebel fatalities as Emaren Pastidio, Michael Cabahug, and Jose Caramihan.
Lt. Colonel Arnel Calaogan, 79IB commander, said both Pastidio and Cabahug were previously identified as “child soldiers” and have also been captured by the 79IB.

Both Pastidio and Cabahug were given the chance to live a normal life with their families, however, they rejoined the NPA.

Pastidio was also identified by the Philippine Army as a high-ranking member of the NPA’s dismantled Northern Negros Front, serving as their medic and cultural officer.

He is also believed to have married Renato Salino Jr., also a high-ranking official of the Northern Negros Front.

The bodies of the rebels were turned over to the village officials with San Carlos Diocese Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and Dian-Ay parish priest Fr. Wilfredo Bayohin as witnesses.

Authorities also brought down the weapons and explosives they seized from the rebels and they were promptly turned over to the operatives of the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives.

Calaogan said they want the remains of three rebels to receive a decent burial.

After turning over the remains, the 79IB immediately called for a meeting with the local village officials of Barangay Pinapugasan, assuring them that they will continue to ensure the safety of the village’s residents and keep them free from the influence of communism.

Aside from the three rebel casualties, four soldiers, including an active auxiliary member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit, were wounded.

The four, identified as 2nd Lt. Frenz Jarey Gonzales; Private First Class Sandie Cebayle; PFC Jiezard Mesina; and CAA member Eduardo Linogon, are now recovering at a private hospital in Bacolod City.

The four were visited by the 303rd Infantry Brigade deputy commander Col. Victor Llapitan on Friday night.

Llapitan personally commended the four and awarded them with the Wounded Personnel Medal in recognition for their heroic and exemplary efforts in battling the NPA rebels.

The clashes in northern Negros initially took place on Wednesday, after the 79IB received information that the suspected NPA rebels were extorting food and supplies from local residents.

A total of eight gun battles erupted afterwards, culminating with an airstrike from the Philippine Air Force on Thursday night.* (Eugene Y. Adiong)