WESCOM honors Palawenyo soldier killed by NPAs in Northern Samar

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA)-– The Western Command (WESCOM) granted a military burial honor to a Palawenyo soldier who was among the casualties when members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), ambushed government forces in Northern Samar last December 14.
The press stament said that PFC Allan Rapena, who was buried in Barangay Tagburos, Puerto Princesa City last December 26, was a member of the 63rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army waylaid by NPA rebels as they were returning to their camp two days before the agreed Christmas truce between the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the government was to take effect.
The rebels reportedly detonated improvised land mines. Ten army soldiers were killed and a nine-year old boy, who was swimming in a nearby river where the ambush occurred, died in the crossfire.
PFC Rapena’s remains were flown to Puerto Princesa city last December 19.
Besides extending financial assistance to his family, WESCOM also held nightly vigil on the duration of his wake.
“This was a very unfortunate incident,” Major General Juancho M. Sabban, WESCOM Commander said, “adding that he was extremely dismayed that despite the government’s most diligent efforts to solve the problem of insurgency peacefully; some members of the communist group seem to prefer violence.”
The WESCOM Chief also stated that the most recent treacherous attack by the NPA rebels against the government forces in Northern Samar, where even a nine-year old boy was killed, should serve as an eye-opener and a wake-up call to everyone to work together to effectively put an end to the problem of insurgency. Otherwise, according to MGen Sabban, the senseless loss of lives, the wanton destruction of properties and the continuous disturbances of the peace and order that are detrimental to the progress and development of the community, will not stop.
In line also with the incident, the Civil Relations Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) issued a statement appealing to the people to take a stand against insurgency.
“We will honor them more (the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives) if we turn that silence to a loud voice of support to their heroism. Let’s now then translate this into resolution and mobilization and, once and for all, let us make a stand for the sake of our children,” the CRSAFP said. (6CRG Released thru PIA9-BASULTA/rvc)