IN COORDINATION with the Philippine Airforce's Tactical Operations Group 6, (TOG 6) the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Army used the S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter to retrieve the bodies of three Communist NPA terrorists killed in an encounter in Barangay Cagay, Leon town, Iloilo on September 30, 2023.
The TOG 6 team members transported the corpses of the three terrorists from the scene in Barangay Cagay under the direction of Lieutenant Coronel Ramedinthine C. Tolentino.
The corpses were brought to Quiring Funeral Homes in Leon before being given to the LGU of Leon for proper disposal.
The deceased individuals were identified as Rebecca Alfaro, also known as Jing, who held the position of Secretary of Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (SF, KR-P) from Cabatuan, Iloilo; Jimmy Macuana, also known as Dennis, a member of Suyak Platoon, SF, KR-P from Sibalom, Antique; and Gerly Tejeros, also known as Elay, the 2nd Deputy Secretary and Education/Medical Staff of SF, KR-P from Tigba-uan, Iloilo.
The remains have been claimed and transported by their respective relatives.
Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, stated in his message that the Blackhawk Helicopter had been sent out to help in the quick retrieval of the bodies and that the PNP should conduct a post-mortem examination as soon as possible. This will guarantee that the remains are handled right away and save the bodies from decomposing.
“While they were considered enemies of the state, they are still Filipinos. Hence, we ensure that our troops treat and handle their remains, as well as those other fallen CNTs during encounters, with utmost respect and dignity until they are claimed by their family,” Sison added.(SunStar Philippines)