Philippines insurgency: top communist rebel commander killed in battle with troops
- George Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, was commander of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines
- Government forces launched air strikes and an assault on a rebel encampment in Mindanao, saying his death is a ‘major blow’ to the rebels
A top communist rebel commander has been killed in an assault by government soldiers in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday.
George Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, was the commander and spokesman for the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines.
Troops were dispatched to Impasugong town in Bukidnon province, 826km south of Manila, early on Saturday after the military received reports of the presence of a group of communist rebels.
Brigadier General Ferdinand Barandon, an army brigade commander, said the soldiers detected that the rebel encampment in the mountainous area was fortified with landmines, prompting the military to launch air strikes.
After the air strikes, troops assaulted the rebel positions, triggering a firefight with about 30 guerilla fighters, he added.
The body of Madlos and another communist rebel were later recovered, Barandon said.
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Colonel Ramon Zagala, a spokesman for the armed forces of the Philippines, said Madlos’ death was a “major blow” to the communist rebels in the southern region of Mindanao.
“His death will deter the activities and plans by the NPA for he can no longer direct the communist terrorists’ violent actions against our people,” Zagala said in a statement on Sunday.
Madlos was wanted for criminal cases such as multiple murders, attempted homicide, robbery and damage to properties.
“Ka Oris was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of soldiers and civilians for decades,” Zagala said.
Communist rebels have been fighting the government since the late 1960s, making it one of the longest-running leftist insurgencies in Asia.
