CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: A top commander of the comunist movement in the Philippines was killed in an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon on Saturday..
George Madlos a.k.a. “Oris,” 72, of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) was killed, together with another rebel in a 30-minute gunfight and ground assault in Sitio Gabunan, Dumalaguing, Impasugong, said Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., chief of the Army’s Division of Public Affairs Office.
The other casualty was identified as Eighfel Dela Pena alias Pika/Maui, communications and medical staff of the National Operation Command (NOC).
The military launched the operations about 12:30 a.m. after receiving reports about the presence of heavily armed men conducting indoctrination and teach-ins in the area.
Military intelligence reported that the armed group were believed to be members of the NOC of the CPP-NPA Komiteng Mindanao (KOMMID); Regional Operations Command (ROC), HQ NEO, RSDG COMPAQ; and Guerilla Front 89 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
Garello said that the military called for an airstrike before assaulting the heavily defended area that was surrounded by anti-personnel mines (APM).
During the clearing operations, the soldiers recovered two bodies, one M14 Rifle, one KG9 Rifle and ammunition of different caliber and other war materiel.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Maj. Gen. Romeo S Brawner Jr, commander of the 4ID, confirmed that one of the fatalities was Madlos alias Ka Oris, the commander and spokesman of NOC-NPA nationwide; member, Central Committee – EXECOM/Politburo; spokesman of the NDF– Mindanao, and husband of Myrna Sularte alias Maria Malaya, secretary of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC)
Ka Oris is facing multiple criminal cases of murder, robbery, homicide and damage to property.