DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 2, 2013) – A New People’s Army rebel who was mortally wounded in a firefight with government troops in southern Philippines had died in hospital despite efforts by the military to save him.
The body of Renier Perez, whose alias was Ka Arnel, was turned over to his grieving family in Santo Tomas town in Davao del Norte province.
Perez’s group clashed with the 66th Infantry Battalion in the village of Katipunan in Compostela Valley’s Nabunturan town on April 25.
Troops also condoled with the family of the slain rebel, whose mother Jocelyn Perez thanked the military for its efforts in trying to save her son’s life.
“Bisan sa kamatayon sa akong anak tungod sa iyang nasudlan nga dili maayong grupo, mapasalamaton gihapon kami sa pag-unong sa mga sundalo sa akong anak, gikan pa sa nahitaboan, sa hospital nga diin pag-abot nako didto giatiman gyud nilag maayo akong anak ug ako. Ug hangtod dinhi sa among pinuy-anan naa gihapon mo,” the woman told Capt. Nathaniel Morales, of the 66th Infantry Battalion.
The army also released a photo of the meeting between Morales and Perez’s wife, but it also showed a video camera set up by the army which recorded their conversation.
Army Col. Buenaventura Pascual, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said he was saddened by the death of Perez and blamed the NPA for his demise.
“We are not happy over the death of another son and brother who could have been a good and productive citizen of our community, especially to his family. Sayang talaga ang buhay ng bata na nilulong ng masamang kaaway ng ating lipunan sa kasamaan. Siya ay biktima lamang ng panloloko at panlinlang kaya kami’y nakikiramay.”
“Pinaaabot naming ang aming panawagan na tayo’y magtulungan upang masagip ang iba pang buhay ng ating mga kapatid lalo na ang ating mga kabataan,” Pascual said.
He called on rebels to return to the folds of the law and rejoin their families and start a new life in peace. (Mindanao Examiner)
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