Corporal Rodney Luces, a soldier who died in the Himamaylan encounter, was laid to rest at Alimodian Public Cemetery yesterday.

Two weeks ago, Luces died in a clash between the troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Purok Galaupan, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Family members gathered to pay their last respect to Luces and to honor his bravery and heroism in serving the country.

The Philippine flag, which had been draped over  his casket as soldiers carried his remains to its final resting place, was handed to his wife at the end of the ceremony.

Major General Eric C. Vinoya, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, (3ID) said in his statement that the 3ID salutes the courage of Luces by offering his life in the pursuit of genuine peace and development in Negros Island.

“We are saddened by your loss, but rest assured that we will always reminisce your fearlessness and boldness in serving and securing the people of Negros. Your story will not end here. It will serve as our guiding motivation in ending the decades-long insurgency,” said Vinoya./WDJ