CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A mother in Bukidnon appealed to the New people’s Army (NPA) to return her 23-year-old son.
2nd Lt. Camille M. Bumatay (OS), Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB), said the mother informed them that the rebels took her son without the family’s consent.
She said her son was fooled into joining the NPA through their so-called “free education” on May 12, 2020 in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Sinanglanan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
It can be recalled that 163 families fled their homes on May 16, 2020 due to the presence of NPA rebels in the area.
The 40-year-old mother told the 8th IB CMO that her son served as the NPA’s courier until he was not allowed to return home.
“Sa mga NPAs na gakuha sa akong anak nga lalaki, ako naga pakilouy sa inyo para ibalik ang akong anak. Wala siya’y kaugmaon kaninyo, naa pa siyay dagko nga pangandoy dili lang alang sa iyang kaugalingon apan sa amu sab nga pamilya. Anak nako, palihug balik na sa atung panimalay, kami naga hulat kanimo.” (To the NPAs who took my son, I’m begging you, please return my son. He has no future with you. He has big dreams not only for himself but also for our family. My son, please come back home, we are waiting for you.), the weeping mother appealed.
Lt. Col. Edgardo V Talaroc Jr., 8th IB commander, sympathized with the mother.
“I extend my deepest sympathy to what happened to the son of the crying and longing mother,” he said.
“To the NPAs, stop manipulating children to further your wicked programs,” the 8thIB commander added. (Mike U. Crismundo)
