TACLOBAN CITY – A former New People’s Army amazon’s desire to give her son a proper burial was realized when the 78th Infantry Battalion searched and located his remains in the hinterlands of Barangay San Gabriel, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
A PRIEST blesses the remains of the son of former communist fighters Genevive Bajado Duro and Bryan Jacobe Encinas. (802nd IB photo)
Genevive Bajado Duro, 21, and her partner, Bryan Jacobe Encinas, 22, also a former communist guerrilla, recalled that she experienced difficulty in her pregnancy and sought permission from their commander to lay low until she could give birth.
However, they were rejected and allegedly threatened if they insist on their plan. They had to move constantly because of the pressure of government operations in Eastern Visayas.
Duro gave birth in a temporary encampment in Borongan on May 23, 2023. Confronted with the risks from a series of military operations, they decided to leave their temporary encampment 10 days after she gave birth and walked for two days to look for a shelter.
Nearly a month later, she noticed her son having difficulty breathing and passed away a few days later. The couple recollected that there were no other signs of illness that could have caused his sudden death.
The couple had no choice but to bury their son in the forest without giving proper identification and blessing from a priest.
Upon learning their plight, the 78th IB immediately coordinated with the Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives (SOCO) of Eastern Samar and the Borongan City Police Office (BCPO) to exhume the baby’s remains to give him a proper and decent burial.
Encinas, together with troops, searched for the area where the infant was buried. They reached Barangay Lalawigan in Borongan where they met Duro and Rev. Fr. Edgar Abucejo, the parish priest who officiated the blessing of the remains of the baby, who was named Bryan Jr.
“Magaan na sa pakiramdam sapagkat hindi ko na iisipin na may iniwan akong anak sa gubat. Kasama na namin siya ngayon at hindi na siya nag-iisa doon sa kagubatan,” Duro said.
She thanked the troops of 78th IB and 802nd Infantry Brigade.
“Hindi sila nagdalawang isip na puntahan ang naiwang labi ng aking anak sa gubat at kung hindi dahil sa kanila hindi madadala dito sa baba ang mga labi ng aking anak dahil hindi rin naman namin kayang puntahan doon ng kaming dalawa lang ng aking asawa kaya lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa mga sundalo.”
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd IB commander, commended the 78th IB for their dedication to their duty and selfless act in enduring days of hardships to help the former NPA couple.
“I am elated that Genevive and Bryan’s ‘child’ is once again reunited with them, and at the same time aghast at the heartless attitude of the NPA commanders. I encourage the remaining NPAs to open their eyes to your good-for-nothing group. The hands of peace are ready to embrace you, live a peaceful life with your loved ones and family,” Vestuir said.
The couple surrendered to the government last October.