NPA kills soldier on his way back to family reunion

MANILA, Philippines–One of three government troopers slain early this week by communist rebels in Compostela Valley was on his way to a family reunion when he met his tragic end.

Lieutenant Ronald Bautista, a member of the 2011 Class of the Philippine Military Academy, was riding a motorcycle with two other soldiers when elements of the New People’s Army stopped them along the road in Cadinuyan Village, Mabini Town, Compostela Valley on December 29.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office Chief, said the two other soldiers with Bautista were also killed. Cabunoc identified them as Private First Class Albert Amor and militiaman Rene Baluca.

Cabunoc added that the 25-year-old Bautista was on his way to Davao City where he was supposed to board a plane that would fly him to his home province of Bohol for his vacation nd family reunion.

“Bautista came from a hinterland village of Mabini where his platoon was deployed for community outreach activities during the Yuletide season,” Cabunoc said.

In a statement from the AFP, Bautista’s father Eulogio said his son called them through cellphone a few hours before the soldier was gunned down at 9:45 a.m.

“At about 6 a.m., he called his mom to tell her that he would bring gifts for his parents and each of his seven siblings,” the elder Bautista said. “He was very generous and kind to all of us.”

Eulogio said that his son was the first ever graduate of their town Nabanga in Bohol.

He added that his son graduated high school by selling rice cakes to help his cash-strapped family.

“We are honored to have a faithful soldier in our family who readily offers personal sacrifices in the services of others,” Eulogio said.