NORTHERN MINDANAO — The Eastern Command awarded Gold Cross Medals to 16 combatants that led to the neutralization of a top Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) official and insurgent-supporters in Caraga Region, Monday, 17 February, at Alcoseba Hall, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Ten medalists belong to the 901st Brigade, based in Barangay Santa Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte, and six from the 401st Brigade, based in Barangay New Leyte Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Caraga Region.

LtGen. Luis Rex Bergante, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, assisted by BGen. Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division, pinned the Gold Cross Medals to the 16 Army soldiers involved in neutralizing the Communist Party of the Philippines’ top NPA leader in Caraga, Myrna Sularte alias Maria Malaya, after she was killed in an encounter against troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of 901st Infantry Brigade, last 12 February, at the mountainous area of Sitio Imelda, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, and other encounters that neutralized several NPAs.

The 901st Infantry Brigade, through the 30th Infantry Battalion, executed the successful combat operation, engaging a group led by Sularte, leader of the Regional Headquarters of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The operation consisted of two encounters, leading to the death of Malaya, and succeeding operations that neutralized other leaders and NPAs.

Brigadier General Arsenio D.C. Sadural, commander of the 901st Brigade, identified stated Sularte as the top leader and secretary of the Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) NEMRC, as well as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the Philippines. She was the widow of the late Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, a prominent figure in the New People’s Army National Operations Command, who was killed in October 2021 during an encounter with government forces in Bukidnon.

“We have finally brought an end to the reign of terror in Caraga, led by Malaya a notorious leader of the Communist Terrorist Group and one of the most wanted commanders of the New People’s Army in the country," BGen. Sadural stated.