CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two high-ranking leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were killed in an encounter with government troops on Saturday, Sept. 3, in Barangay Kapitan Bayong, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
The Army 4th Infantry Division (ID) identified them as Vincent Isagani Madlos and his wife, Angie Polandres Salinas.
Vincent, son of Jorge “Ka Odris” Madlos, the top NPA leader in Mindanao, and Salinas were killed by the 8th Infantry Battalion under the 403rd Infantry Brigade.
Col. Ted Dumosmog, officer-in-charge of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said that the couple is among the top wanted terrorist leaders as they are members of the CPP-NPA Central Committee and heads of the National Technical Bureau and National Communications Bureau of the National Operations Command (NOC), respectively.
“Additionally, (Vincent) Madlos had multiple warrants of arrests for the crimes committed from different areas in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions,” he said.
Dumosmog said the 8th IB and intelligence units were conducting a special operation when they encountered an undetermined number of communist rebels which resulted into a 15-minute gunfight and the death of the two NPA leaders.
Recovered in the encounter site were two AK47 rifles as well as other war materials and personal belongings.
A certain “Rito,” the younger brother of Jorge, confirmed the death of his nephew through the photos published by the military.
Rito said he would go to Bukidnon to claim the bodies of Vincent and Salinas and bury them beside his brother in Surigao City.
4th ID commander Major Gen. Wilbur Mamawag said the death the two NPA leaders would serve as a reminder to other communist rebels to surrender to avoid the same fate.
“While I am a bit saddened with the tragic fate of the Madlos’ couple, it can also serve as a reminder for those remaining communist terrorist group members still hiding that they still have the opportunity to surrender and avoid the same outcome for them,” Mamawag said.
“We urge everyone, especially our peace partners, to continue rallying with us, and collectively provide our people a better place to live that is safe and conducive for sustainable development,” he added.
Jorge was killed along with his medic in an encounter with the military in Impasug-ong last Oct. 29.
The National Democratic Front-Northeastern Mindanao Region confirmed that they were killed, not in an encounter, but in an ambush.