Army Honors Fallen Soldier Amid Reports of CTG Killings on Negros Island
The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army conducted solemn military funeral honors for Private First-Class Wencel Jay D. Puntuan on February 13, 2026, at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz. The ceremony took place before his remains were escorted to Iloilo International Airport for transportation to his final resting place in Cotabato City.
Military Funeral Honors and Escort
Personnel from the 6th Cavalry Company (Separate) of the Armor Division, alongside civilian supporters, provided a dignified escort for Puntuan's remains to the airport. The military funeral honors represented a traditional tribute to a fallen comrade, highlighting the Army's commitment to honoring its personnel with proper ceremonial respect.
Disturbing Report on CTG Killings
Coinciding with the funeral proceedings, the 3rd Infantry Division released a statement revealing that remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group have been responsible for at least 28 killings on Negros Island since March 2025. According to the division, all victims were noncombatants, including farmers and elderly individuals who had chosen peace over violence.
The most recent victim was a 74-year-old woman who was shot outside her residence in Purok Halimbawa on February 3, 2026. Initial investigations suggest the perpetrators deliberately targeted this elderly victim, whose home had previously been connected to an encounter between government troops and CTG elements in April 2025.
Pattern of Violence Against Civilians
Security data indicates an alarming pattern of approximately two people killed each month since March 2025. The 3ID emphasized that these victims were ordinary citizens whose only "crime" was their preference for peace. The division characterized this violence as a deliberate attempt to weaken public morale and destabilize communities in the region.
Call for Human Rights Investigation
In their statement, the 3rd Infantry Division urgently called upon the Commission on Human Rights and all human rights advocates to thoroughly investigate these crimes. "We urge the Commission on Human Rights and all human rights advocates to look into these crimes, investigate thoroughly, and help the victims achieve rightful justice," the division stated. "The perpetrators must be held accountable for these brutal acts against innocent civilians."
Continued Security Commitment
The 3ID reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining security operations and protecting communities throughout Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region. Despite the challenges posed by CTG remnants, the division remains focused on maintaining stability and preventing further violence against civilian populations.
The juxtaposition of a respectful military funeral for a fallen soldier with reports of ongoing violence against civilians underscores the complex security situation in the region, where the Army must simultaneously honor its own while protecting vulnerable communities from terrorist threats.
