Army: Ka Oris killed in action in Bukidnon

COMMANDER and spokesperson of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) nationwide was killed in an encounter with soldiers at the hilly area of Sitio Gabunan, Brgy Dumalaguing, Impasugong, Bukidnon yesterday, Oct. 30, the military said on Sunday.

“Jorge Madlos’ (aka “Ka Oris) reign of terror has finally ended,” said Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr.

“Unfortunately, the consequences of his atrocities led to a tragic ending,” he said.

Ka Oris is the top most wanted NPA commander in the country, according to Brawner.

Early dawn Saturday, the Army’s 403rd Brigade launched a joint and combined combat operation in response to the information provided by the community that a bulk of armed group believed to be components of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the CPP-NPA Komiteng Mindanao (KOMMID).

At around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, ground forces conducted the final assault and encountered more or less 30 NPA rebels of the CPP-NPA Komiteng Mindanao (KOMMID).

After 30 minutes of firefight, two abandoned cadavers were captured and an M14 and a KG9 rifle recovered, a statement said.

Upon validation of the identification of the cadavers, Brawner confirmed that one of the killed rebels is Jorge Madlos or alias Ka Oris.

“Now, justice has been served for those innocent civilians and their communities he terrorized for several decades,” said Brawner.

He said that his death could be the final blow for the eventual collapse of the communist group here in his AOR.

Ka Oris, Brawner said is facing multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide (CC Nr 20162-09) and damage to properties with criminal cases for multiple murder and double frustrated murder with criminal case no.20163-09.

Ka Oris is also a member of 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 National Operations Command.

Brawner lauded the combined forces and the civilians who provided the information that expired Madlos hiding for the longest time.

Neither the Communist Party of the Philippines nor the National Democratic Front of the Philippines has confirmed or released a statement on the claim of the military. It can be recalled that the military had reported Madlos’ death in the past. (Ben Balce)