NPA's 'Ka Oris' killed in Bukidnon clash

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Updated, 6:50 p.m.) — Soldiers killed the highest official in Mindanao of the New People’s Army in a gunfight in Impasugong, Bukidnon Saturday, the military said.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division and the Bukidnon provincial police separately confirmed late Saturday the demise of Jorge Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, in the incident.

Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines, confirmed the death on Sunday evening, but said that Madlos was killed in an ambush.

Major Gen. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, said a companion of Madlos named Eighfel Dela Peña was also killed in the incident.

Local officials told reporters it was barangay residents who helped the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade locate Madlos and his followers in a secluded area in Impasugong.

Madlos was the commander and spokesperson of the NPA's National Operations Command. He was also spokesperson of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Brawner said Dela Peña was the communication officer of the NOC.

Key sources from the Police Regional Office-10 and the Bukidnon provincial police office told reporters Madlos was wanted for a number of high-profile criminal cases pending in different courts in Mindanao. 

CPP: It was an ambush

Valbuena, in preliminary comments on Sunday evening, said Madlos "was not killed in an armed encounter" and was instead ambushed.

"He and his medical aide were riding a motorcycle on their way to seek medical treatment. This is [according] to his wife Ka Maria Malaya," Valbuena said, saying also that Madlos was killed along with Eighfel "Ka Pika" Dela Peña.

"Whether they were ambushed while moving or were accosted and thereafter executed is still unclear; clearly, however, they were not in a position to give battle and were murdered in cold-blood," Valbuena also said.

The 4th Infantry Division allegedly staged air strikes hours after the incident "to create a false picture of an armed encounter."

The CPP has yet to issue a full statement.