NPA spokesman slain in Bukidnon encounter

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government security forces in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday.

The death of Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, was a major blow to the communist group, according to Col. Ramon Zagala, spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Madlos was the head of the NPA’s national operations command and spokesman for both the NPA-NOC and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao.

The NPA and the NDF are the armed and political wings, respectively, of the Communist Party of te Philippines (CPP).

Madlos was the husband of Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, secretary of the NPA-North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Madlos was the top most wanted NPA commander in the country,” said Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

“The consequences of his atrocities led to a tragic ending,” Brawner said.

Aside from Madlos, another guerrilla, identified as Eighfel dela Peña, alias Pika and Maui, was killed in the encounter that broke out at around 11:30 a.m. in the hinterlands of Sitio Gabunan in Barangay Dumalaguing.

The Army’s 403 Infantry Brigade launched an offensive based on information provided by residents who spotted a group of armed men in their community.

Madlos was wanted for murder, multiple murder with double frustrated murder, and robbery with double homicide and damage to property, Zagala said.

The CPP-NPA-NDF has yet to issue a statement on the killing of Madlos by the military.

Bracing for attacks

The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered its members to stay alert against any possible retaliatory attack by the NPA due to Madlos’ death.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the police is expecting NPA guerrillas to exact revenge for the death of one of their leaders.

Eleazar said Madlos’ death should serve as a warning to communist rebels. – Michael Punongbayan, Neil Jayson Serallos, John Unson