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[av_heading heading=’Brave village watchman wounded in Leon rebel attack dies ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – Twenty-five days after successfully fending off rebels, a barangay tanod of Lampaya, Leon, Iloilo died.
Romeo Cabalong expired at the Western Visayas Medical Center where he had been confined since June 20.
He was shot on the left shoulder. The bullet, however, also hit his liver and spinal column, according to Lampaya barangay captain Ramonito Camral.
Seven days after the tanod outpost attack, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) cited the village watchmen of Lampaya for standing their ground against the rebels.
They placed “the safety of their community above their own to preserve the peace and freedom of the community against terrorism and violence,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., PPOC chairperson.
Cabalong died around 3 p.m. on July 15.
Armed men attacked the tanod outpost of Barangay Lampaya on June 20. Cabalong and several companions stood their ground until enforcements from the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) – Alpha Company arrived around 10:30 a.m.
According to Barangay Councilman Benito Cantomayor, the armed men also lobbed an M203 grenade at the tanod outpost.
Cabalong’s hospital expenses were shouldered by Iloilo 2nd District’s Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta and the provincial government.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot, 61IB commander, the rebels – numbering between 20 to 30 – likely belonged to the Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command.
“Kawawa ang ating mga tanod. They are our force multipliers at malaki ang naitutolong nila sa atin,” said Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo police director.
On Monday, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office turned over financial assistance and grocery items to the Cabalong family.
The attack in Barangay Lampaya, Leon was carried out two days after rebels raided the police station of Maasin, Iloilo on June 18.
The rebels fled to the adjacent Alimodian town then crossed to Leon.
Plaques of recognition were given to the Barangay Lampaya tanods during PPOC’s meeting at the provincial capitol.
Another incentive was being planned for the tanods – livelihood assistance. According to Department of the Interior and Local Government Iloilo director Teodora Sumagaysay, the governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan were free to determine what livelihood incentive to give.
It was unclear as of this writing if Cabalong’s family would be extended the livelihood assistance now that he’s gone./PN
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