A civilian who allegedly tipped authorities about the location of slain New People’s Army (NPA) leader Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos got became an instant multi-millionaire after he finally got his reward from the military, a military spokesperson revealed Saturday, Feb. 5.
Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the reward money was turned over to alias “Ricky,” who provided information that led to the tragic demise of Madlos in an encounter with the troops of 403rd Infantry Brigade last October 30, 2021 in Impasugong, Bukidnon.
Madlos was the pinpointed NPA spokesperson and head of the NPA National Operations Command.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Andres Centino personally handed the reward money to “Ricky” during a simple ceremony at the 4ID headquarters in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City last Wednesday, Feb. 2.
“Since early 2000, a P7.8-million bounty thru the AFP-PNP Joint Order of Reward was placed by DND and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as cash reward to any individual who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of Ka Oris, one of the most wanted fugitive top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA),” Garello said in a statement.
The Joint Order of Reward is the government's reward mechanism to any civilian who will provide vital information that would lead to the neutralization of a high value target. Individuals who are given rewards underho strict vetting process to determine if they are worthy to receive the cash prize from the government.
The reward system, established on June 12, 2001, aims to encourage civilians to provide vital information to authorize so that high-value targets who are considered as threats to peace and security will be neutralized.
The system is managed through the AFP-PNP Joint Reward Valuation Committee which is chaired by the AFP deputy chief-of-staff for Intelligence and the PNP counterpart.
“During the awarding, alias ‘Ricky,’ who was covered with mask all over his face for security reasons, was personally congratulated by Secretary Lorenzana for his bravery and in trusting the government despite possible dangers and risk of his life,” he added.
According to Garello, Lorenzana expressed hope that aside from the monetary reward, other civilians would emulate Ricky’s initiative “as an act of shared responsibility and commitment to fast-track the government’s goal to end the local communist armed conflict.”
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, the newly installed 4ID commander, thanked Ricky for coming forward and providing vital information to the military that resulted to the death of Madlos.
He said the demise of NPA’s leader “would significantly impact the government’s campaign against the insurgency.”
“We all wanted to live in peace. But all of us must contribute our share to attain peace. Hence, I salute the likes of Ricky who stand courageously against the communist terrorist group,” Mamawag said.
“This also proves that the support coming from the civilians have altered the balance in an overwhelming favor towards the government and peace partners. Hence, it is only befitting to reward with due recognition those who partner with us in our vision and aspiration to attain an insurgency free communities for our people,” he noted.