Heroes' burial held for 5 CAAs slain in NPA ambush
CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal - A heroes' burial was held for the five members of the CAFGU Active Auxilary who perished during an ambush initiated by the New People's Army in Tagkawayan, Quezon on Friday, September 8, 2023.
In a solemn ceremony, CAA Ceasar Sales, CAA Jeffrey San Antonio, CAA Jomarie Guno, CAA John Ven Perez, and CAA Aldon James Rafa were laid to rest in the newly inaugurated Himlayan ng mga Bayani at the Public Cemetery of Tagkawayan.
The five fallen CAA heroes were among the casualties in an ambush by suspected members of the Bicol Regional Party Committee and Southern Regional Party Committee near the boundary of Labo, Camarines Norte and Tagkawayan, Quezon last September 1. One soldier and two more CAAs were wounded. The perpetrators used an anti-personnel mine, a clear violation of the United Nations Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Before the ceremony, government employees and community members held a peace rally to demonstrate solidarity of the Tagkawayan populace and called for peace and justice for the fallen CAA heroes.
The Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., together with his staff and other officers and personnel from the AFP and PNP, also paid their last respects before the military burial.
In a statement, 2ID Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong said that the men and women of 2ID and the AFP as a whole render our snappiest salute to the fallen CAA heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in safeguarding their community. He added that their lives will inspire every Jungle Fighter to be unrelenting in the pursuit of peace and development in the Southern Tagalog region.