NPA rebel killed in clash one of ‘Morong 43’ – military

Carmela Fonbuena

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One of of the communist rebels killed in a recent clash with the army in Bulacan was a member of the "Morong 43," who claimed to be purely health workers

CAMP AGUINALDO – One of of the communist rebels killed in a recent clash with the Philippine Army in Bulacan was a member of the “Morong 43,” according to the military.

Ramon Dela Cruz was among the 3 New People’s Army (NPA) killed in an encounter on August 9.

A certain Ramon Dela Cruz was among the 43 healthworkers previously arrested over suspicions that they are members of the NPA. The Morong 43 denied this and filed before the Ombudsman and the regional trial court cases of human rights violations against their captors. 

“Good news, confirmed na sya ‘yun (we’ve confirmed that it’s him),” Northern Luzon commander Maj Gen Pio Gregorio Catapang told reporters. 

“I think it’s safe to say that this guy who was captured during the Morong incident was an NPA. We had an encounter with him in Bulacan,” Catapang added. 

The military said the photos they took when the Morong 43 were detained in 2010 and photos of the deceased NPA member in Bulacan show it’s the same Ramon dela Cruz.

Brig Gen Hernando Irriberi of the Army’s 7th ID Dela Cruz of the “Morong 43” named his parents when he was questioned in detention in 2010. It’s the same couple who claimed his body.

“It’s the same person. The couple who claimed his body were Danilo Cruz and Rosita De La Cruz, his parents,” he said Irriberi.

They said rebel returnees also confirmed it. 

“This debunks their previous claim that those arrested Morong 43 members are purely health workers,” Irriberi said.

Sought for comment, Morong 43 spokesperon Alex Montes maintained the Dela Crus is a health worker. 

“I will not be surprised that he is in Bulacan. I saw their commitment. They want to serve their community,” Montes said. 

Montes slammed the military for its continuous efforts to “discredit” the Morong 43. – Rappler.com

 

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