Brgy. Officials recover two dead bodies in a shallow grave

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – Two (2) dead bodies were found by the brgy. Officials of Concepcion, Arteche, Eastern Samar buried in a shallow grave two days following an encounter that transpired between the terrorists and elements of Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion in the forested area of Brgy. Dorillo, Jipapad same province.

Report disclosed that around 4:30 P.M. of February 14, while the platoon of Sgt Orosco was having their temporary patrol base in brgy. Concepcion, some brgy. Officials and tanod personally led by their Chairwoman Zedaria Pajares brought out two cadavers.Accordingly, an undisclosed folk discovered the said grave due to its strong foul scent that prompted Pajares to lead his constituents to identify and later on bury the bodies more decently.

Initial report revealed that the duo’s cause of death were gunshots base on the wounds that found all over their body.

One body suffered a wound at his right armpit while the other one is at his neck that believed to be the cause of their instant death. Official autopsy report is still being waited and the bodies’ identity is being uncovered as of press time.

It can be recalled that on the morning of February 12, troops under Staff Sergeant Pejana encountered some 10 terrorist NPAs at Brgy. Dorillo and reported that most of the rebels were wounded including the owners of their recovered M16 and M14 rifles.

This situation is no longer new to the underground movement that once their comrades were wounded in action, they drag it away from the troops and avoid it being caught for they are afraid that information can be elicited from their wounded comrades.

Lt. Col. Jaime Hidalgo, commander of 14IB already sent his troops to facilitate the burial and assist the doctors who examine the remains.

Meanwhile, the Commander of 8th Infantry Division Maj. Gen. Arthur I Tabaquero expresses his heartfelt appreciation to the Brgy Officials who initiated the simple good deeds of bringing out the truth to the open.

“This simple deed is a clear manifestation of support to our advocacy of pursuing peace to achieve development in the whole region,” Said Tabaquero.

“I urge you to carry on your simple ways of supporting our government to encourage your fellow local officials to replicate same for us to ultimately attain our dreamt peace and development in this part of the country,” He added.

This successful feat against the terrorist NPA is the third time for this year following an encounter in Brgy. Rizal, Eastern Samar in January 13 and in Brgy Santander, Bobon, Northern in January 29 where two (2) M16 rifles, radios, war materiel, personal belongings and voluminous subversive documents with significant values were collectively recovered.

Moreover, Maj. Gen. Tabaquero calls upon the peace-loving Samarnon that should an incident occur that wounded NPAs were left in their possession by the fleeing terrorists, they should inform any nearest PNP or Army detachment to help them attend their medical needs.

“The 8ID will always be here to give these NPAs, wounded or not a chance to live freely and re-experience the fruit of democracy whenever they feel the desire to. We will give necessary medical attention the same treatment we give when we have our wounded soldiers for it is the right of the individual.” The good general concluded.

Three days after, two shallow grave sites were discovered by barangay folks 2kms away from the encounter site. The Brgy Officials of Brgy Conception headed by Byrg Kap Freddie Roncales and elements from 14IB responded on said report, together with Dr. Eduardo de Dios, MHO of Jipapad, ESamar who later conducted autopsy. The cadavers were identified as Elcon Liad (TN: Lilio Liad) @ Binal/Mila/Nilpo/Batoy and one known only as @Naval/Antoy Authorities confirmed that the duo were got killed during the earlier encounter with the elements of 14IB. Elcon Liad was further identified as the CO of Regional Security Force (RSF), EVRPC with code name: BANGKAW. Their remains were provided of decent burial at Public Cemetery of Brgy Conception, Arteche, ESamar.