Army: Deaths of rebel leaders ‘weaken’ NPA forces in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON, Philippines — Two key leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) were killed in separate clashes with government troops in Bukidnon, “further weakening” the forces of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area, the military said.

Brig. Gen. Seigfred Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, identified the fatalities as Edward Pantandon, alias “Wando” and Romeo Manpinsahan, alias “Kakoy” and “Yuman,” who were killed on June 20 and 21, respectively.

The first encounter between troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion and NPA rebels erupted around 11 p.m. on June 20 in Sitio Tagiptip, Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan town.

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The operation resulted in the death of Pantandon, team leader of Headquarters Force NEO under the NCMRC, and the seizure of an M16 rifle.

Government troops tracked the same group to Sitio Nalumosan, Barangay Silae, Malaybalay City.

At 11:30 a.m. on June 21, soldiers from the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) engaged in another clash that left Manpinsahan dead.

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Troops also recovered two additional high-powered firearms, magazines, ammunition and personal belongings from the encounter site.

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Firearms recovered

The operations formed part of intensified military efforts to dismantle the remaining armed units of communist rebels operating in Northern Mindanao, Tubalado said.

He noted that the operations reflect the continued weakening of the NCMRC’s armed capability as government forces maintain pressure against remaining rebel units in the region.

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Lieutenant Col. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said Manpinsahan’s death “is a definitive victory for peace, but more importantly, it is long-awaited justice served to the communities of Bukidnon.”

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“For years, this notorious leader and his remnants exploited, threatened and victimized innocent civilians and local livelihoods across the province; today, those families can finally breathe easier knowing that accountability has been delivered,” Martinez told the Inquirer on Monday.

In a text message, Martinez said that troops from the 8IB, which is under the 403rd Infantry Brigade, launched a focused military operation after receiving information from concerned civilians.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, the NPA has not issued a statement on the incidents.

Pursuit ops

Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the military remains committed to preventing the resurgence of communist insurgency activities and maintaining security in Bukidnon and neighboring provinces.

The bodies of the slain rebels were brought to a funeral parlor, while pursuit operations against remaining NPA leaders, including a certain alias “Ka Reda,” are ongoing.

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Supporting units included personnel from the 8IB Battalion, 26th Infantry Battalion, 41st and 42nd Division Reconnaissance Companies, artillery units from the 4th and 7th Field Artillery Battalions, and intelligence elements of the 4th Infantry Division. /cb