Mindanao NPA leader killed in Bukidnon clash

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao has been killed in an encounter with government troopers in Bukidnon.

Pedro Codaste, acting chairman of the NPA’s Komisyun Mindanao, and his men clashed with soldiers and police in Barangay Kalabugao in Impasugong town on Jan. 21, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said yesterday.

The 30-minute firefight also resulted in the killing of another NPA member identified only as Zandro.

An AK47 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, an anti-personnel mine, three backpacks with personal belongings and subversive documents were recovered at the scene.

Almerol said Codaste took over the NPA group after its leaders Antonio Cabanatan, Jorge Madlos and Menandro Villanueva were killed in recent clashes with government forces.

Codaste served as a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ central committee, National Democratic Front consultant, former secretary of Guerrilla Front 4A in Agusan del Sur during the 1990s and secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, according to Almerol.

He said Codaste had pending arrest warrants for murder, double frustrated murder and attempted murder.

The military said more NPA members are expected to surrender following the death of their leaders.

Meanwhile, suspected NPA rebels shot dead a foreman of a construction firm in Barangay Anticala in Butuan City on Monday night.

Police said around eight NPA guerrillas entered the house of Severino Calvarez, 66, and shot the victim thrice. – Ben Serrano, Edith Regalado