Army: Remains of Madlos, aide cremated after positive COVID tests
MANILA, Philippines—The remains of slain New People’s Army leader Jorge Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, have been cremated after a coronavirus test returned positive results, the military said on Wednesday (Nov. 3).
Maj. Gen. Romero Brawner, Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division chief, said the bodies of Madlos and his medical aide, Eighfel Dela Peña, were turned over to the local government of Impasugong in Bukidnon province after coronavirus tests yielded positive results.
The bodies were subjected to RT-PCR tests, which is part of protocol in handling the remains of communist rebels captured or killed by government forces. It remained unclear if the ashes of Madlos and Dela Peña would be handed over to their families.
“Other forthcoming actions depends on the decision of the LGU,” Brawner said.
Comrades of Madlos and Dela Peña have been calling for an autopsy due to conflicting accounts on their deaths. The Communist Party of the Philippines claimed the two were unarmed and ambushed on their way to seek medical treatment.
The military, however, insisted that it was not a staged encounter.
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