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| (Photo:Philippine Army Page) |
Butuan City, Philippines – A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao, Myrna Sularte, also known as Maria Malaya, was killed in an armed encounter with government troops in the hinterlands of Sitio Imelda, Pianing, Butuan City on February 12, 2025.
Sularte, the secretary of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and a member of the political bureau of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was one of the most wanted NPA leaders in the country. She faced multiple criminal charges, including rebellion, murder, multiple murder, and frustrated murder.
The encounter, which involved a series of firefights, resulted in the confiscation of items and equipment owned by her group. The military described Sularte as a significant figure in the NPA’s operations in Caraga and Northern Mindanao, where she was allegedly involved in several atrocities, including the killing of civilians and destruction of government projects.
Brigadier General Arsenio DC Sadural, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, stated, “The death of Myrna Sularte signifies a measure of justice for the countless victims who have endured unimaginable sufferings due to her deceitful manipulations and ruthless actions. This development not only brings closure to those victims but also serves as a powerful reminder of our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the innocent from the atrocities perpetrated by the CTGs.”
Sularte was the widow of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, another prominent NPA leader who was killed in 2021. The military expressed hope that her death would encourage remaining NPA rebels in the region to surrender and embrace peace.
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