Army provides proper burial to dead NPA

MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon – A proper burial was given to a dead NPA terrorist by the troops of 8IB, 88IB, 403rd, and 901st Infantry Brigades together with the local government at San Fernando, Bukidnon on January 12, 2019.

The Philippine Army led the coordination with the local government of San Fernando and Bukidnon Province in order to help the bereaved family of Ubert Collantes,19.

“We are doing service even to our enemy in respect to IHL. He ceased to become an enemy at the time of surrender or death. So we take care of them even if he is already dead because we also care for his family,” Col Edgardo Y De Leon, Commander of the 403rd Infantry “PEACEMAKER” Brigade said.

In a separate statement made by Nilo Collantes, father of Ubert, he said: “I am begging the NPA not to recruit minors anymore because they are destroying their future.”

Judith, the mother of Ubert, angrily said that her son was recruited by the terrorist group since 2015 when the latter was only 16 years old.

The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) rule 136 prohibits the recruitment of child soldiers into the armed groups but the Terrorist CPP-NPA continues to violate the said provision.

It can be recalled that 2 NPA terrorists died with two high powered firearms 7.62mm M14 rifle recovered in an encounter with the Army troops under 8IB at the vicinity of Sitio Kinuaw, Brgy. Binicilan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur last December 31, 2018.

Source: 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, PA