The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is optimistic that the death of top New People’s Army (NPA) leader Myrna Sularte, alias “Maria Malaya”, will finally free communities from the scourge of insurgency.
AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. commended Thursday night, Feb. 13, the dedication of the troops and the support of civilians, which, he said, led to the neutralization of Sularte, the widow of the late NPA leader Jorge Madlos alias “Ka Oris”, who died in an encounter in Bukidnon in 2021.
Sularte was tagged by the military as the secretary of the NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and a member of the political bureau of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). She was named as the successor of former communist leaders, couple Wilma and Benito Tiamzon, whom the Philippine Army (PA) also neutralized in 2022, according to Army chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido.
“Malaya’s death is not just a military success; it is a victory for the Filipino people. Communities long affected by insurgency can now experience true peace, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Nevertheless, the AFP will relentlessly pursue those who continue to pose a threat to peace and order, upholding our commitment to national security and stability,” Brawner said.
The military chief said that Sularte’s death has also created a leadership vacuum in the communist group, leaving it in disarray and “severely demoralizing its dwindling forces.”
“Without strong leadership, the remaining insurgents will struggle to coordinate their operations, further accelerating the collapse of their organization,” Brawner noted.
The AFP estimated that the NPA had 1,100 remaining fighters as of Dec. 2023.
Brawner urged the remaining NPA fighters to surrender to the folds of the law and take advantage of the government’s amnesty program to help them reintegrate into mainstream society.
“Choosing peace means securing a better future for themselves and their families, while continued resistance will only lead to the same fate as Malaya,” he warned.
“The NPA is now irrelevant, and their cause has lost all legitimacy. With their influence rapidly declining, the AFP can now shift its focus toward greater national security challenges, including safeguarding our territorial integrity, combating external threats, and fostering economic progress,” he added.
Sularte was killed in a clash with members of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade in the hinterlands of Sitio Imelda, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte last Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to the 4thInfantry Division (4ID).
The military said she was among the most wanted NPA leaders in the country due to multiple criminal charges, including rebellion, murder, multiple murder, and frustrated murder.