TAGKAWAYAN, Quezon (PIA) – A section of the town’s cemetery has been dedicated as honorable burial grounds for the five Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members killed in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Mapulot, Tagkawayan, Quezon on September 1.
Tagkawayan Mayor Carlo Eleazar said the section called “Libingan ng mga Bayani” serves as a tribute for the heroism of the fallen militiamen.
“We have allocated a portion in our municipal cemetery that will be called the Heroes’ Cemetery where we will lay to rest our five fellow countrymen. This is exclusive for them and for the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the peace of the town of Tagkawayan,” Eleazar said.
The five CAFGU members identified as Johnven Perez, 18, Jomarie Lim Guno, 19, Aldon James Rafa, 19, Jeffrey San Antiono, 29, and Cesar Sales, 49, were all residents of Tagkawayan. They will receive full military honors on September 9 before their interment.
In a social media post, Eleazar had condemned the terrorist group’s actions, citing their disregard for the government’s mission to ensure the safety, peace, and development of the nation.
“This attack by the NPA on our soldiers while they were fulfilling their duty to maintain peace is a blatant disregard for our goal of achieving stability and development that we aspire for,” he said.
A prayer vigil and necrological services are scheduled on September 7 at the Municipal Covered Court of Tagkawayan. High-ranking officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Quezon LGU, and neighboring towns are expected to attend to pay their respects.
Quezon Governor Angelina Helen Tan also denounced the violence initiated by the communist terrorist group noting that setting up of land mines in vital areas within the community violated the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.
“We strongly condemn the attack by alleged Communist Terrorist Group- New People’s Army on the members of the 85th Infantry Battalion of the AFP who were patrolling to ensure peace and order in the area,” Tan said.
The governor assured the public that government authorities are working closely to maintain the province’s status as insurgency-free.
“We will not allow armed groups to completely destroy the peace in our province. We continue to work and cooperate with the military, the police, and civilians to ensure that the province of Quezon remains insurgency-free,” Tan added. (PIA IV-A/85th ID/Tagkawayan Teleradyo)
