NPA leader killed in Gingoog City clash

ILIGAN CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Northern Mindanao was killed on Wednesday after a brief clash with government troops in Gingoog City, the military said on Friday.

In a statement, the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division said Dionesio Micabalo, alias Muling, died after a 10-minute encounter with elements from the 58th Infantry Batallion last July 26 in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

The Army said Micabalo was the secretary of the NPA’s North-Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Lt. Col. Christian Uy, commander of the 58th Infantry Battalion, said Micabalo was with around 10 rebels when the encounter broke out.

The soldiers later recovered the AK-47 rifle of Micabalo, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition and personal belongings.

Brigadier General Adonis Ariel Orio, 402nd Brigade Commander, said Micabalo allegedly figured in numerous atrocities and criminal activities in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur provinces.

Orio added that Micabalo, 61, a resident of Dancagan, Bukidnon, was facing rebellion, double murder with frustrated murder, multiple frustrated murder and arson, and murder charges.

Major General Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, 4ID commander, said that the death of Micabalo renders the regional NPA command leaderless, further weakening its ranks.

“After the dismantling of all seven guerilla fronts under NCMRC since 2020, Micabalo is on the run, continuously evading and highly mobile to avoid capture and engagements with our troops,” Cuerpo noted.

“This is high time and an opportunity for those remaining members to lay down their weapons and embrace the path of peace especially that our President recently issued a pronouncement to issue a proclamation granting amnesty to former rebels. With this, there is no other way but to yield and cooperate so that we can fully support the government’s effort to achieve peaceful and developed communities,” Cuerpo added.

gsg