Saturday, December 02, 2023

Tag: NPA Leader

Cadaver of slain top NPA leader in Northern Mindanao now with family

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Military and police officials handed over the remains of the slain top communist rebel leader, Dionisio Micabalo, to his family last July 29, 2023, in a small courtyard outside a funeral parlor in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental

Brigadier General Adonis Ariel Orio, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, said the cadaver of Micabalo, alias “Muling,” was turned over to his siblings, Ronelo and Fely, who came to Gingoog City, along with officials from Dangcagan municipality in Bukidnon, to fetch his corpse.

Orio said the 61-year-old New People’s Army (NPA) leader hailed from Dangcagan town, and his family wanted him to be buried there.

“There was no hassle. As soon as the PNP (Philippine National Police) and my soldiers ascertained their identities, his remains were turned over to the family,” Orio said.

Micabalo, who was secretary general of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, was killed during a brief firefight with soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, last July 27.

Colonel Christian Uy, 58th Infantry Battalion commander, said they have been tracking the movements of Micabalo after he transferred to Gingoog City from Mt. Pantaron range in Bukidnon, where the latter was previously based.

Orio said that with Micabalo gone, a young rebel leader named “Kumander Rida,” a former student from Cagayan de Oro City is expected to become the next secretary general of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

During his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees. He asked Congress for support on this matter.

But Marco Valbuena, Communist Party of the Philippines information officer, rejected the offer of Marcos, calling it “a treacherous offer of amnesty and surrender.” (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

IP rep says justice served following Ka Oris’ death

Posted on by cmn

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon (07 November 2021/PNA) – Justice has been served after the death of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the New People’s Army (NPA), in the hinterlands of Sitio Gabunan, Impasugong, Bukidnon on Oct. 30.

This, according to Datu Renato Sumbongan, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, in a news release of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) on Sunday, November 7.

“Sa pagpanguna ni Ka Oris sa una, ang mga lumad (IP) nailad nga mokuyog kanila, duna pay namatay apil nga tribal leaders nga matud pa dunay kalapasan kanila ug naa usab mga equipment nga ilang gipang sunog. Isip IPMR sa syudad sa Malaybalay nagatuo ako nga nakab-ot na namo ang hustisya sa iyang kamatayon (Headed by Ka Oris before, the IPs were deceived to join them, there were tribal leaders killed because of alleged violations against them, and there were many equipment burned. I believe that we have already received justice after his death),” Sumbongan said.

For decades, the 74-year-old Madlos led terroristic activities, especially in Mindanao, and was recorded as the most wanted NPA commander in the country.

He faced multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide, damage to properties, murder, and frustrated murder that involved countless innocent civilians, including indigenous peoples (IP) members, Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) members, and soldiers.

Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr., 8IB commander, said IP members, soldiers, and the CAA have long been waiting for justice.

“Now, they already achieved it,” he said as he called on the remaining communist terrorist groups to return to the fold of the law.

“We will be relentless in our operation in order for us to attain long-lasting peace and development. It will be better for you to benefit from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for your new life with your family,” Talaroc added, referring to the program that grants financial assistance to former rebels.

Madlos, also a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee and spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF)–Mindanao, was killed with a rebel medic and communications officer Eighfel Dela Peña alias Pika/Maui in an encounter with the combined troops of the 8IB, 1st Special Forces Battalion, and 88th IB under the 403rd Infantry Brigade.

The communist leader tested positive for Covid-19 two days after his death and was cremated before he was turned over to Impasugong officials.

Troops also recovered one M14 rifle, one KG9 rifle, and ammunition of different caliber, other war material, and assorted personal belongings.
Myrna Sulatre (alias Maria Malaya, Iyay, and Emang), the wife of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos and secretary/spokesperson of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command (PNP-13 photo)

Mere propaganda

Peace advocate Joy “Ka Amihan” Saguino, a former rebel leader, condoled with the family of Madlos but said the fight for social justice that insurgents claim is nothing but a fragment of propaganda.

“I have also been in the same situation where my comrades fell in the battlegrounds, believing that violence is the only solution to the society’s turmoil. I have also witnessed the cruelty of the group I once served towards people who are not receptive to the communist agenda and those labeled as “traitors and enemies” of the revolution,” she said in a statement on Oct. 31.

“Memories of violence are still vivid every time I reflect on what I had gone through for 11 years,” she added.

Wanted

Government forces are also hunting Madlos’ wife, Myrna Sulatre (alias Maria Malaya, Iyay, and Emang), the secretary and spokesperson of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command.

She has likewise been charged with multiple murder raps.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

NPA top leader ‘Ka Oris’ slain in Impasug-ong

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY (31 October 2021) – ‘Ka Oris”, a top leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who has PhP 7.8 million bounties was killed in a clash with Army troops in Sitio Gabunan, Brgy. Dumalaguing, Impasugong, Bukidnon on October 30. the military says.

Major General Romeo S. Brawner Jr, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, confirmed the information to the media in a press conference held at the Function Hall inside Camp Osito D. Bahian in the city on October 31.

He said Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, was among two casualties in a 30-minute encounter between soldiers and the NPA guerrillas in an inhabited and mountainous area in Impasug-ong town.

Maj. Gen. Brawner identified the other casualty as Eighfel Dela Pena alias Pika/Maui, communications and medical staff of Ka Oris. He said both died due to gunshot wounds.

He said the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4ID launched combined combat operations at around 12:30 a.m. on October 30 in response to the information from the community about the presence of the armed group.

He said the joint army units were composed of the 8th Infantry Battalion, the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 88IB, a Scout Ranger company, and the Philippine Air force based in Cagayan de Oro City.

The 4ID commander described Ka Oris as a longtime spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao and commander and spokesperson of the National Operational Command of the NPA nationwide. He said Ka Oris was also a member of the communist Central Committee – EXECOM-Politburo and husband of Myrna Sularte alias Maria Malaya, the secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Brig. Gen. Ferdinand T. Barandon, commander of 403rd IB said the position of Ka Oris was fortified with anti-personnel mines (APM).

He said they requested close air support and dropped six bombs in the positions of Ka Oris and his group.

Brig. Gen. Barandon said they recovered an M14 rifle, a KG9 rifle, and ammunition of different caliber, other material, and assorted personal belongings.

Brawner said Ka Oris is facing multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide and damage to properties, multiple murder, double frustrated murder, arson, kidnapping, and others.

On October 31, the National Democratic Front’s (NDF-NEMR) confirmed Madlos was killed by the military but claimed he and his medic were ambushed while onboard a motorcycle Friday night while heading towards the national highway from the Poblacion of Impasug-ong. The statement was signed by Ka Maria Malaya, NDF-NEMR spokesperson and wife of Ka Oris.

In a Mindanews report, Brawner reacted to the NDF’s statement.

“It is not the AFP’s tactics to ambush unarmed combatants especially if they are onboard a motorcycle. Also, on the allegation that there was no actual encounter, the people in the communities around can attest that they heard the sound of gunfire and the sound of airplanes and helicopters on October 30, 2021,” Major Gen. Brawner said.

Local peace engagement works, NPA leaders surrender in Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

 VALENCIA CITY (Jan. 16/PIA) — “We concede to government’s Community Support Program (CSP),” confessed Resylyn Pardo a.k.a. Jamby, the Secretary of CPP-NPA’s (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) Guerrilla Front 6 (GF6) or the so-called Bukidnon Command.

Jamby said the way they were treated by soldiers was contrary to what they were told by their senior cadre that they would be raped or tortured once they surrender.

Guerilla Front 6 Secretary is the NPA’s political organ tasked to radicalize and turn them into militants. GF6 covers a city and six towns in southern Bukidnon namely Valencia City, San Fernando, Kitaotao, Maramag, Don Carlos, Dangcagan and Quezon.

Resylyn, 28 years old was joined by her husband, Renante Tumbalang alias Jigger or War, 37 years old, the commander or “CO” of GF6’s Front Operational Command who said they have lost the sympathy of the local populace and the tribes, which significantly affected their morale.

The couple revealed that the loss of mass base constricted them in the mountains. They cannot “disperse” their forces anymore, which made them weak and vulnerable to be tracked down due to the government troops’ non-stop offensive operations in their mountain lairs.

“The death of Commander Amana in one of the major encounters with the Army was very demoralizing,” Jigger said.

Jamby, likewise, said that last year (2019), their higher political organ tasked them to regain their lost initiative.

“Hindi kami nakapag gawaing-masa at gawaing militar. Natigil ang aming KalMas (Kalihokang Masa) pati ang ArPak (Armadong Pakigbisog) dahil nauubos na ang aming organisadong masa at mga sanga ng partido sa lokal. Nag focus kami sa recovery pero hindi namin magawa dahil ayaw na kaming tulungan ng mga tao sa Barrio. Yung 25,000 na baseng masa na itinayo namin ng ilang taon, humiwalay na sa amin. Yung 18 na KRB (Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Barrio) na pinaghirapan namin, nalusaw lahat,” added Jamby, claiming that she used to be the record holder in the number of KRBs established by North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the CPP’s party organ in Northern Mindanao.

Following the creation of Region 10 Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that was launched in Bukidnon in July 2019, local government units (LGUs) in Region 10 were tapped to initiate “Localized Peace Engagement.” Elected officials were seeking to intervene and encourage NPA members who are also their constituents to take the path to peace and participate in governance as resource persons for the socio-economic programs of the LGUs.

Valencia City LGU was key to alias Jamby and alias Jigger’s return to the fold of the law.

The LGU’s efforts paved the way when the couple sought the assistance of barangay Banlag Kagawad Saliezer Dejos and Valencia City Mayor Azucena Huervas as the former rebels expressed their desire to quit from the communist movement.

Assisted by Bukidnon 4th District Representative Rogelio Neil Roque, Valencia LGU immediately arranged for the safe surrender of the couple and five others in an undisclosed place late last year.

They were eventually turned over to 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB) and 403rd Infantry Brigade for enrolment in Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Provincial Government ng Bukidnon at sa City Government ng Valencia dahil sila ang naging bukas na pinto para sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga kapatid natin na naligaw ng landas. Ito ay isang patunay na mas epektibo ang ‘local level’ na usaping pangkapayapaan, halos isang linggo lang ang negosasyon, nagbalik loob na sila. Ang national level peace talks, nag-umpisa nung 1986, hanggang ngayon wala pa ring kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Ito pong local integration program ay sang-ayon sa kagustuhan at utos ng ating Commander-in-Chief President Duterte at ito po ay nagtatagumpay. Nagpapasalamat din po kami sa tulong at inisyatiba ni Rep. Roque at siya rin ay naging daan sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga rebelde,” said BGen Edgardo De Leon, the Commander of 403rd Brigade covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin, to include Cagayan de Oro City.

Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4th Infantry Division Commander said “Our war is not focused on winning battles through the barrel of guns. Ours is a peaceful war involving communities in conflict-affected areas. Our constituents and we, together with local leaders, join hands and commit to battle land issues, poverty, and other problems through dialogue with the right people, organization, and agency. We commend the 403rd Bde and the 88IB, and the local government unit of Bukidnon for winning the peaceful war.”

Jamby and Jigger along with their five other colleagues were presented by Valencia City LGU to Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr., as Provincial Chairman of the E-CLIP committee.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office was tasked to determine the package of assistance that would suit the needs of former rebels, whom the military now calls “Kauban sa kalinaw ug kalamboan.” (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy with reports from Cpt. Ryan D. Layug, 403rd Inf Bde, 4ID, PA)