CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has ended the reign of terror of the Communist Party of the Philippines top leader George Madlos alias Ka Oris after he was killed together with a CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) member in an encounter against government troops today, October 30, at the mountainous area of Sitio Gabunan, Brgy Dumalaguing, Impasugong, Bukidnon.
The 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4ID launched a joint and combined combat operations at around 12:30 early dawn in response to the information provided by the said community that a bulk of armed group believed to be components of the National Operations Command (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 is conducting teach-ins and indoctrination in the said area.
Brigadier General Ferdinand T Barandon, Commander of the 403 Brigade, bared that assaulting troops compose of 8IB, 1SFBn, and 88IB upon approaching the CNTs position detected that it was laden with anti-personnel mines (APM) and cannot be breached without expecting casualties.
“The CNT positions were fortified with APMs, hence, we can assume at that time that they were protecting their top leadership. In order to protect our troops, we called for close air support and delivered air strikes towards the CNT positions”, BGen Barandon added.
At around 11:30 this morning, ground forces conducted the final assault and encountered more or less 30 CNTs of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the CPP-NPA Komiteng Mindanao (KOMMID); Regional Operations Command, HQ NEO, RSDG COMPAQ; and Guerilla Front 89 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
After 30 minutes of firefight, assaulting troops scoured and cleared the area and discovered two abandoned cadavers, captured one M14 Rifle, one KG9 Rifle and recovered ammunitions of different caliber, other war materiel and assorted personal belongings.
In his statement, Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commander of 4ID, disclosed that upon validation of the identification of the cadavers, he confirmed that one of the killed CNTs is George Madlos alias Ka Oris, the Commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the New People’s Army nationwide; Member, Central Committee – EXECOM/Politburo; Spokesperson of the National Democratic Front – Mindanao, and the husband of Myrna Sularte alias Maria Malaya, the Secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) while the other cadaver was identified as Eighfel Dela Pena alias Pika/Maui, Comms Staff and Medical Staff of the NOC.
Ka Oris is the top most wanted NPA commander in the country. He is facing multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide and damage to properties with Criminal Case (CC) Nr 2295; Multiple murder and double frustrated murder with CC Nr 20162-09 and 20163-09; and murder with CC Nrs 20867-10, 20957 to 59-10, 17754-07, L-2628, L-2629 to 30.
MGen Brawner Jr congratulated the combined forces that launched the operations led by the 403rd Brigade under BGen Barandon for the neutralization of the highest leadership of the New People’s Army. He also lauded the courage of the civilians who provided the timely information that ended Oris hiding for the longest time.
“Ka Oris’ reign of terror has finally ended. Unfortunately, the consequences of his atrocities led to a tragic ending. Now, justice has been served for those innocent civilians and their communities he terrorized for several decades. His death could be the final blow for the eventual collapse of the Communist Terrorist Group here in our AOR”, MGen Branwer Jr added.
MGen Brawner Jr added that Ka Oris represents the final straw that holds the remaining CTG members and leaders together. His death will hopefully make them realize that the downfall of the New People’s Army in Mindanao is inevitable and that the only option for them would be to surrender.
“I am reiterating our call for peace. Magbalik loob na kayo sa mapayapang pamumuhay and avail of the E-CLIP. We will ensure your safety and we will guide you towards a peaceful life. So that you will not suffer the same fate as Ka Oris. Our success is brought about by the convergence of the local government agencies, local government units and local populace. Indeed, civilian participation is the key ingredient in ending the local communist armed conflict in our country”, MGen Branwer Jr ended.
Ground forces are still on pursuit operation while the extraction of the cadavers is still going on.
