4 weeks ago
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ARMY troops on Saturday claimed to have neutralized two high-ranking members of a communist terrorist group (CTG) in Agusan del Sur, barely four days after the death of a top NPA leader in Caraga region, a ranking army officer said Sunday.
Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the killing of the two NPA leaders came after the CTG members were monitored engaging in an illegal activity in the community.
The illegal activity prompted troops from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division to launch a combat patrol which resulted in a firefight. Two rebels died in the clash.
Col. Evangelista identified the slain NPA leaders are as Larry Garcia, alias Joven, commanding officer of Regional Sentro De Grabidad (RSDG), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC); and his vice commanding officer, alias Gaga/Garing.
As the fighting progressed, the rest of the CTG group scampered and retreated in a bushy area. The army troops conducted hot pursuit operations recovering two backpacks, medical supplies, radio communication and documents.
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EastMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante commended the troops for their unwavering dedication and relentless efforts to eradicate CTG atrocities in the Caraga region.
Last Wednesday, the same army contingent killed top female NPA leader Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, in an encounter in the forested mountains of Butuan City.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the killing of Sularte further created a significant leadership vacuum, leaving the rebels in disarray and severely demoralizing their dwindling forces.
Brawner said Sularte's death is not just a military success; it is a victory for the Filipino people. Communities long affected by insurgency can now experience real peace, economic growth, and improved quality of life.
Nevertheless, he said, the AFP will relentlessly pursue those who continue to pose a threat to peace and order, upholding its commitment to national security and stability.
"We strongly urge the remaining NPA members to surrender now and take advantage of the government's amnesty program to help them reintegrate into society. Choosing peace means securing a better future for themselves and their families, while continued resistance will only lead to the same fate as Malaya," Brawner said.
Brawner assessed that the NPA is now irrelevant, and its cause has lost all legitimacy.
"With their influence rapidly declining, the AFP can now shift its focus toward greater national security challenges, including safeguarding our territorial integrity, combating external threats, and fostering economic progress," he said.
