THE Philippine Army confirmed the neutralization of the top communist terrorist leader, Myrna Sularte, aka, ‘Maria Malaya,’ during an encounter with elements from the 30TH Infantry Battalion, 901st Brigade, in the hinterlands of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, last February 12.
BGen. Arsenio D.C. Sadural, Commander of the 901st Brigade, noted that Sularte was the top leader and secretary of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), as well as a member of the Political Bureau (Politburo) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Sularte was also the widow of the late Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, CPP spokesman and head of the New People’s Army (NPA) National Operations Command (NOC). Madlos was killed in a separate encounter in Bukidnon with government troops in October 2021.
Reports from his men disclosed the actual firefight with the group of Sularte occurred in the vicinity of Sitio Imelda, Brgy. Pianing, Butuan City, the official said.
The focused military operation consisted of two encounters, culminating in the capture of numerous items and personal belongings. The final encounter in the afternoon of February 12 resulted to the death of Malaya, Sadural added, citing reports from his men in the field.
“We have finally brought an end to the reign of terror in Caraga, led by Malaya, a notorious leader of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and one of the most wanted commanders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the country.
“She is facing multiple criminal charges, including Rebellion, Destructive Arson, Robbery with Double Homicide, Damage to Property, Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, Robbery in Band, Murder, Multiple Murder, and Frustrated Murder, among others.
“These charges arise from the numerous injustices and acts of terrorism she directed and perpetrated in the Caraga region,” Sadural stated.
For his part, BGen Michele B Anayron Jr, 4th ID commander, congratulated the 901st Brigade under Sadural and the 30th IB under Lt. Col. Albert M Batingga for neutralizing the CTG’s highest leadership in the Caraga region.
“It is unfortunate that Malaya has suffered the same tragic fate as her husband, Ka Oris, and their son, Vincent.
“We have offered them the path of peace countless times, yet they have never listened or given us a chance.
We fervently hope that Malaya’s death will be the final straw, leading to the total surrender of the remaining members and the eventual end of the Communist Terrorist Group in our area of responsibility,” Anayron added.
Two more Caraga NPA leaders killed
As if the death of Sularte was not yet enough to deal a crushing blow to the diminishing armed communist movement, the 4th ID also announced the neutralization of two more CPP-NPA commanders, this time in Agusan del Sur, the same day Sularte was killed.
In a statement, the 4th ID said troops from 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), led by Lt. Col. Jason F. Pangandoyon, under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade led by Col Emil Cruz, Acting Brigade Commander, engaged in an armed encounter the NPA’s regional command group (RSDG), NEMRC, in sitio Sitio Katipunan, Brgy. San Lorenzo, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The two fatalities were identified as Larry Garcia, alias Joven, the commanding officer of RSDG, and his vice commanding officer, alias Gaga/Garing.
During the pursuit operation, government troops also recovered two backpacks and one ‘Baofeng’ commercial radio, medical supplies, and terroristic documents.