ILIGAN CITY – The military neutralized the leader of the New People’s Army-North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in an encounter in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday, July 26.
Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the fatality as Dionisio Micabalo, alias “Muling,” the secretary of the NCMRC.
The NCMRC was tagged in numerous atrocities and criminal activities in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.
Micabalo was killed in a 10-minute gun battle with the 58th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Christian C. Uy.
Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one caliber .22 rifle, assorted war materiel, and personal belongings.
Micabalo, 61, a resident of Dancagan, Bukidnon, was wanted for rebellion, double murder with frustrated murder, multiple frustrated murder and arson, murder, and violation of Republic Act (RA) 9851, An Act defining and penalizing crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity, organizing jurisdiction, designating special courts, and for related purposes.
He was one of the top two NPA leaders in the area. The other is Myrna Sularte, alias “Iyay” and “Imang,” secretary of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in most parts of the Caraga region.
Major Gen. Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, 4th Infantry Division commander, said Micabalo’s death will weaken the NCRMC.
He lauded the tireless efforts of 58th IB and 402nd Brigade against communist guerrillas in the Caraga.
“After the dismantling of all seven guerilla fronts under NCMRC since 2020, Micabalo is on the run, continuously evading and highly mobile to avoid capture and engagements with our troops," said Cuerpo.
"With his death, his criminal acts are stopped and justice is served to the hundreds of innocent victims of their crimes.”