Philippines insurgency: top communist rebel commander killed in battle with troops
- George Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, was commander of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines
- Government forces launched air strikes and an assault on a rebel encampment in Mindanao, saying his death is a ‘major blow’ to the rebels
A top communist rebel commander has been killed in an assault by government soldiers in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday.
George Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, was the commander and spokesman for the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines.
Troops were dispatched to Impasugong town in Bukidnon province, 826km south of Manila, early on Saturday after the military received reports of the presence of a group of communist rebels.
Brigadier General Ferdinand Barandon, an army brigade commander, said the soldiers detected that the rebel encampment in the mountainous area was fortified with landmines, prompting the military to launch air strikes.
After the air strikes, troops assaulted the rebel positions, triggering a firefight with about 30 guerilla fighters, he added.
The body of Madlos and another communist rebel were later recovered, Barandon said.