CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental — Troops of the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB) of the Philippine Army, in coordination with the Gingoog City Police Station and the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) Unit, successfully recovered the skeletal remains of a New People’s Army (NPA) combatant in Sitio Mangilet, Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City on December 18, 2025.
The recovery followed a custodial debriefing of a recent NPA surrenderer, Mario Romano Alicanio, alias “Zero,” who voluntarily disclosed the location of a burial site in the area. Acting on the information, 58IB troops immediately conducted an operation and carefully exhumed the remains.
According to Alicanio, the remains are believed to belong to Junnry Lamumay Ayuma, alias “Rebo,” the commanding officer of Platoon Falcon under SRC1, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). Ayuma was reportedly among the three NPA members killed during an armed encounter with 58IB troops in the same vicinity in 2021.
Despite Ayuma’s previous involvement with the armed group, the Philippine Army said the operation was carried out with utmost respect and dignity. The 58IB emphasized that the recovery was meant to allow the remains to be transferred to a more appropriate burial site so the family could accord him a proper and dignified final resting place.
The exhumed remains are currently undergoing skeletal examination and further investigation to confirm identity. Once completed, the remains will be turned over for proper burial rites with the assistance of the Local Government Unit of Gingoog City.
Lt. Col. Leoncito I. Grezula Jr., commanding officer of the 58IB, said the operation carried a deeper message beyond military objectives.
“Even if he was once our enemy, and even if only his skeletal remains are left, the 58IB chose to value his death and respect his humanity,” Grezula said. He added that the fate of the slain NPA commander reflects what he described as the harsh reality faced by members of communist terrorist groups. “When one dies in an encounter, they are often left behind—without recognition, without a proper grave, and without genuine concern,” he said.
Grezula also reiterated the government’s call for remaining armed group members to surrender, stressing that doing so is not a sign of weakness. “Surrender is an opportunity—to live, to reunite with family, and to begin a new life with the support of the government,” he said.
The 58th Infantry Battalion reaffirmed its commitment to peace-building, reconciliation, and community healing in Misamis Oriental, urging remaining NPA members to abandon armed struggle and choose a path of peace, dignity, and life.