ARMY troops killed the top honcho of the New Peoples Army in Northern Mindanao as he and his companions were about to settle for the night in Gingoog City late Wednesday afternoon.

Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division said Dionisio Micabalo alias ‘Muling’ was killed immediately when army soldiers of the 58th Infantry Battalion surprised the rebels at around 5:50 pm in Barangay Libertad in Gingoog City.

Cuerpo said Micabalo was the only casualty in the firefight that lasted 20 minutes. He said troops seized his firearm, an AK 47, several magazines, and a Caliber 22 rifle.

The remains of Micabalo were brought to a local funeral parlor in Gingoog City where an autopsy was done by the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives on Thursday.

“Micabalo was identified by his former comrades who had already surrendered. That is confirmation enough for us,” Cuerpo said.

Micabalo alias Muling, 61 years old, headed or was the secretary general of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. He figured in several events like the release of Prisoners of War and sometimes acted as a spokesperson for the rebels.

Col. Christian Uy, commanding officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion said his troops were on the trail of Micabalo three months ago after they learned the rebel leader have transferred to Gingoog City from Bukidnon where he used to operate.

He said two sections of soldiers caught up with the rebels as they set up camp in Barangay Libertad, some 600 meters from the highway.

“The soldiers told me they first saw two armed women and then spotted a lone rebel leaning on a coconut tree. My soldiers fired volley upon volley yet the rebels fired ensuing a 20-minute gunbattle,” Uy said.

With Micabalo dead, Cuerpo said only Ka Maria Malaya, wife of NPA leader George Madlos who was killed by army troops last Oct. 29, 2021, remains at large among NPA leaders.

“After the dismantling of all seven guerilla fronts under NCMRC since 2020, This is high time and an opportunity for those remaining members to lay down their weapons,” Cuerpo said.