Cagayan NPA rebs execute comrade who wanted to leave group

By Leander Domingo

BAGGO, Cagayan -- A former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) who wanted to leave the insurgent group was killed and buried by his comrades in Baggao, Cagayan last month.
    This was confirmed by an informant who also led government forces to the burial site.
    On June 4, the remains of Vincent Cusipag alias "MJ" was exhumed by the Army's 501st Infantry Brigade (501st IB) and the     77th Infantry Battalion (77th IB) in coordination with the Philippine National Police in Sitio Birao, Barangay Hacienda Intal.
     The recovery of Cusipag's body was witnessed by residents and barangay (village) officials of Hacienda Intal.
Christina Samoy, Cusipag's grandmother, identified her grandson's remains through his clothes and bracelet.
    Army intelligence information revealed Cusipag joined the communist movement in 2018 but due to hardship and difficulty of constant running away from government troops, he decided to cut ties with the CPP-NPA.
    Sometime in May, five CPP-NPA members led by Alias Andy captured, killed and buried Cusipag in Sitio Birao.
Samoy said she was saddened his grandson was not given a chance to start a new life away from insurgency.
    The Army said the execution of Cusipag was a verdict by the CPP-NPA's kangaroo court.
    According to the informant, Cusipag even pleaded with his former comrades to spare his life but to no avail.
    Meanwhile, Alias Yain, also a resident of Sitio Birao, voluntarily surrendered to the 77th IB on June 4 and yielded to the military his homemade cal. 30 rifle.
    Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, Army's 5th Infantry Division (5th ID) commander, commended the 77th IB and the 501st IB for their continuing effort to pursue peace and prosperity in Cagayan province.

"It is our goal to ensure the safety of the people against the CPP-NPA in our area of responsibility. These accomplishments speak of the professionalism and dedication to duty of every star trooper. We are on the right track in ending the terror of the communist insurgents," Mina said.

The 5th ID officials also extended their condolences to the bereaved family of Cusipag.

"We condemn the inhumane acts of the terrorist CPP-NPA. They have shown complete disregard and gross disrespect of human rights, not just of Alias MJ's but also of all their victims. With the cooperation of the public and all-out support of the different government agencies, we will surely sustain our gains in winning this fight to end the insurgency," Mina said.