The remains of Eliezer “Dondon” Geraldez Bulaybulay, a New People’s Army (NPA) member from Barangay Kawayanon, Makilala, North Cotabato, are set to be returned to his family. Bulaybulay was among eight bodies discovered in Barangay Canadam, Maconacon, Isabela in July 2022.
According to his brother, “Dondon” joined the NPA in 2016 as a team leader of Front 72 in the Far South Mindanao Region. In 2017, he was assigned to the Regional Sentro De Gravidad between Aurora and Quirino provinces under the command of Rosalio Canlubas, also known as ‘Ka Yuni.’
Former comrades who have since surrendered to the government reported that “Dondon” and others died in March 2022 due to illness and severe hunger exacerbated by continuous military operations. The 95th Infantry Batallion coordinated with the local government of Maconacon to facilitate the return of “Dondon’s” remains.
His brother urged remaining NPA members to surrender, stating, “There’s no benefit in continuing this fight.” Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir P. Gracilla of 5th Infantry Division assured families of deceased NPA members that assistance is available, emphasizing, “We know where they are, but we are giving them the opportunity to go down.”
The exhumation of the eight NPA members’ bodies was made possible through information provided by former rebels who has surrendered. The families of the deceased are being contacted to claim their loved ones’ remains and provide them with proper burials.#
