Soldiers killed a leader of the New People’s Army in a brief gunbattle in Laak, Compostela Valley last Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Gilbert Ombos, commander of the Army 60th Infantry Battalion, said the operation was an offshoot of intelligence buildup in the last few days that include convincing Marjun Taba to surrender.
Taba, also known by his alias “Hiker,” is first deputy secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Sub-regional Committee 4, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, while also sitting as plenary member of the SMRC.
He has six standing warrants of arrest for murder, attempted murder, rebellion, serious illegal detention, double murder, and double frustrated murder.
“We really wanted him to surrender. And I believe we have exhausted all means and options to get to that end because we know that there is more to gain if he surrenders as opposed to his dying like this in the field,” said Ombos.
Ombos said that they even asked for the help of Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Loreto, Agusan Sur Mayor Lorife Otaza, and Taba’s family to facilitate his surrender, but to no avail.
Taba refused to surrender.
Last Wednesday, soldiers pinpointed his location in Barangay Kapatagan, prompting them conduct an operation. A five-minute gunfight with Taba and his four followers ensued.
Soldiers recovered Taba’s body and his .45-caliber pistol and two anti-personnel improvised explosive devices from the encounter site.
The government has been conducting aggressive operations against the communist rebels that include localized peace talks in a bid to comply with President Duterte’s order to finish off the NPA before his term ends in 2022. (Aaron Recuenco)