CPP still verifying reports of top leader Ka Oris’ death

File photo of Jorge Madlos also known as Ka Oris in Surigao del Sur, December 26, 2014. ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

DAVAO CITY — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is still verifying reports of the death of Jorge Madlos, popularly known as Ka Oris, the spokesperson of the NPA’s National Operational Command and who used to be the face of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Mindanao.

Marco Valbuena, CPP chief information officer, released the statement following the military report of Ka Oris’ death in a reported encounter between government troops and communist rebels in a remote village of Impasugong town in Bukidnon.

“This is to inform the public that we are still verifying reports concerning the death of Ka Oris as declared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Valbuena said in an email message to the Inquirer. “A statement will be released later,” he added.

The military promised to release a photo of Ka Oris, whose death was reported several times in the past but which later proved to be false.

Major General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said Madlos was one of the two casualties in a 30-minute gunfight between soldiers and the NPA guerrillas in Sitio Gabunan, Barangay Dumalaguing, Impasugong town on Saturday.

He identified the other casualty as Eighfel Dela Pena alias Pika/Maui, Ka Oris’ communications and medical staff.