THE remains of a New People’s Army leader Jorge Madlos and his companion were cremated by government after they tested positive for COVID-19, the military said yesterday.
Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City, said results of the RT-PCR tests conducted by the Philippine Red Cross on Madlos and Eighfel dela Peña were released on Tuesday.
The military is waiting for their families or other relatives to claim the cremated remains, said Maj. Francisco Garello Jr, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.
The remains are with the local government of Impasugong town, Bukidnon, he said.
Madlos, popularly known as Ka Oris, and Dela Peña died during an encounter with Army soldiers in Barangay Dumalaguing in Impasugong on Saturday.
Madlos was commander and spokesman of the NPA’s National Operations Command (NOC), member of the CPP’s executive committee, and spokesman of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Dela Peña was a communications and medical staff of the NOC.
After the encounter, their cadavers were turned over to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Impasugong government, Brawner said.
“They are the responsible agencies for the proper disposition of the remains in accordance with the COVID protocols and guidelines. Other forthcoming actions depend on the decision of the LGU,” he said.
“It is in our sincerest desire that the remains will be laid to rest and the families can mourn the passing of their loved ones. After all, even as enemies of the state, they are Filipinos and deserved to have decent burials,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, on Tuesday assured the families of Madlos Dela Peña the military will release their bodies after COVID-19 protocols are met.
