• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The family of slain New People’s Army rebel leader Cristito “Dagohoy” Nilles Sr. received financial and humanitarian assistance from the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), Guihulngan City government, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Personnel of the 62IB recently turned over burial assistance, cash aid, food packs, sacks of rice, and groceries to the Nilles family, represented by his wife Mylyn, at the St. Francis Funeral Homes in Barangay Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The assistance was part of a coordinated effort among government agencies to provide support to the family as they cope with the loss of their loved one.
Nilles was killed following an encounter between government troops and armed rebels in Sitio Calambia, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City on Aug. 17.
The Philippine Army identified Nilles as the acting secretary of Section 3, Guerilla Unit 3 of the dismantled Central Negros 1.
Maj. Jecey Batiller, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division, said Nilles was initially wounded during a five-minute firefight with soldiers of the 62IB.
Batiller said Nilles was later allegedly abandoned by his comrades in Sitio Uyangan, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, where his body was subsequently discovered by pursuing government troops.
Soldiers also recovered an M16 assault rifle, three magazines containing ammunition, and personal belongings from the encounter site. | GPB
