Army exhumes remains of NPA commander in Carigara, Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY- The remains of an alleged high-ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) were retrieved by government troopers in a remote village in Carigara town, Leyte last Saturday, April 3.

Eleazar Sabidalas was reportedly buried by his comrades six years ago, according to a former rebel who provided the information to the army.

Based on the information, Sabidalas was buried in Sitio Kapitungan of Barangay Libo, Carigara last July 18,2015.

Sabidalas, who was known as “Sangay,” reportedly died after his group engaged government forces in an encounter in Barangay Caghalo in the same town.

Sabidalas reportedly served as a commander of the front committee of the Eastern Visayas Revolutionary Party Committee.

Captain Kaharudin Cadil, information officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Ormoc City, said they have yet to contact the family members of the former NPA leader before he would be buried in a public cemetery in Carigara town.

At present, the skeletal remains of Sabidalas were placed in a funeral parlor in the town.

In a statement, Brigadier Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, the commanding officer of the 802nd IB, said the recovery of the skeletal remains of the former NPA leader is an indication that the rebel group does not give value to human life.

“It is clear to us how the terror group, the NPA, does not value the life of their own comrade. They do not care how their loved ones feel,” he said.

“We are calling the loved ones of Eleazar Sabidalas to help us so we can give him a decent and proper burial,” Oliveros added.

The problem of insurgency continues to affect some parts of Leyte and the provinces of Samar.

During his March 18 visit to the region, President Duterte reiterated his desire to completely quell the insurgency problem of the country.

/MUF