THE REMAINS of New People’s Army (NPA) leader Aprecia Gonzales Alvarez arrived at her hometown in Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Brig Gen Ronnie Babac, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said the 55-year-old was killed in an encounter with soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division early morning on Feb. 27, 2024, in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.
She was the head of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), a regional NPA unit operating in Zamboanga Peninsula.
She joined the armed movement in the early 1990s in the Municipality of Compostela, Davao de Oro, and served as the political instructor of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 3.
She arrived in Loreto, Agusan del Sur via Black Hawk Military Helicopter.
In a statement, Babac conveyed his condolences to the family of the slain guerilla.
“It is with deep sorrow watching people weep for their deceased loved ones, fighting a senseless war against the government. This could have been avoided (death) if she only surrendered and returned to mainstream society, but instead, they (NPA rebels) chose to fight it out with the government to the death,” Babac said.
“At any rate, we facilitated her transport from Zamboanga to her hometown because we gave importance to the feelings of her loved ones. We hope that it might somehow lighten their sorrows.” Babac added.
Alvarez was received by her sister, Carolyn Alvarez-Ecrin, and will be laid to rest in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.
