DAVAO CITY -- A high-ranking leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed during a firefight with government troops in Barangay Kapatagan, Laak, Compostela Valley province, Wednesday morning.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), identified the NPA leader as Marjun Taba, the deputy secretary of the NPA’s Sub-regional Committee 4, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
Balagteye said Taba was killed after he resisted arrest and fought with soldiers from the 10th Infantry Division and Laak police officers.
Taba was "about to be served six warrants of arrest for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, rebellion, serious illegal detention, double murder, and double frustrated murder,” Balagtey said.
Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., commander of Eastmincom, said efforts have been exhausted by the local government units, Taba's family, and the 1001st Infantry Brigade for his peaceful surrender but instead, the latter refused and fought with the government troops.
"We are offering them to peacefully surrender. If they refuse and continue with their violent means, we will employ all legal means to run after them. They can never run away from the long arm of the law, more so with the strong resolve of the government to end the armed conflict," Santos added.
Recovered near Taba’s body was a caliber .45 pistol and two anti-personnel land mines that are banned under the International Humanitarian Law.
Taba is the 34th high-value NPA leader neutralized in 2019, the military said. (PNA)
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By Che Palicte
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