Cagayan de Oro City – The commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division announced on Monday that the death of a prominent New People’s Army (NPA) leader and her son will likely be the final blow leading to the total surrender of remaining communist insurgents in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.

Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., division commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said in a press briefing that the death of Myrna Sularte, also known as Maria Malaya, will encourage remaining rebels to lay down their arms. Malaya, a top leader and 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 killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Butuan City last Wednesday afternoon.

The encounter, which took place in Sitio Imelda, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, began at 6:00 a.m. and lasted until 1:20 p.m..

Army troops chanced upon the rebels at 6:10 a.m., leading to a running gun battle that lasted for nearly seven hours. The firefight resulted in Maria Malaya’s death and the capture of additional rebel belongings.

For their bravery in combat, 16 soldiers involved in the neutralization of Malaya were awarded Gold Cross medals.

Maria Malaya was the widow of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, a high-ranking figure in the NPA’s National Operations Command (NOC). Ka Oris was killed in an encounter with government forces in Impasugong, Bukidnon, in October 2021. At the time of his death, he carried a ₱5 million bounty on his head.

A year later, their son, Vincent, also a commander in the NPA, was killed in a clash with Army Special Forces in Barangay Capitan Bayong, Impasugong.

"It is unfortunate that she has suffered the same  tragic fate as her husband, Ka Oris and their son Vincent, we have offered them the path of peace countless times, yet they have never listened. Instead of giving peace a chance they continue to victimize innocent civilians,” Anayron stated.

He expressed hope that Malaya’s death will lead to the surrender of the remaining rebels in the hinterlands of Caraga and Northern Mindanao.

Anayron noted that a massive wave of demobilization has hit the remaining NPA forces, as insurgents continue to flee from government troops. In an effort to counteract the growing number of surrenders, the NPA has intensified indoctrination activities to boost the morale of remaining rebels in mountain encampments.

Maria Malaya was active in the Caraga region and Northern Mindanao, where she was allegedly responsible for numerous atrocities, including the killing of civilians, destruction of government projects, and terrorist activities across Surigao and Agusan provinces.

A native of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, Malaya was one of the most wanted NPA leaders in the country. She faced multiple criminal charges, including rebellion, murder, multiple counts of murder, and frustrated murder, among others.