PAYING LAST RESPECTS TO FALLEN ENEMY: 53IB, Dumingag MTF-ELCAC Facilitate Return of Abandoned, Killed NPA to Family

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) and Dumingag Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) facilitated the return of a fallen NPA terrorist to his family residing in Barangay Dapiwak, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur on May 14, 2022.

Rolando Maglasang aka Mobin, the former commander of the defunct Guerilla Front-BBC of the CPP-NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), was abandoned by his comrades following an armed encounter with government troops last May 12, 2022.

In a statement, 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. ColJo-ar Herrera thanked the MTF-ELCAC for the efforts to return Mobin to his family.”Our humanity and professionalism do not stop even after our enemy is neutralized. Even though they’re dead, we still accord them respect,” said Lt. Col. Herrera. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, Commander, 102nd Infantry (IGSOON) Brigade condemned the blatant disrespect of the CTGs for basic human rights.

“This is the treacherous tactics of the leadership of these CTGs, they abandon their fallen comrades just to save themselves from the might and power of our government forces,” said Brig. Gen. Nicolas.

Dumingag MTF-ELCAC Chairperson and Mayor Joan Abejuela said that the municipality, through its counterinsurgency action plan dubbed as ‘Oplan Amuma,’ will support Mobin’s bereaved family.

“The Dumingag MTF-ELCAC will always support our troops and look for possible interventions to support Mobin’s family,” said Mayor Abejuela.