CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro — The military says communist insurgency in Northern Mindanao and Caraga may be nearing its end, with only two senior leaders of the New People's Army (NPA) still at large following the death of a key commander in Agusan del Sur.
Army officials said the remaining NPA forces in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and the Caraga region are now led by just two high-ranking commanders, after a weekend clash that killed a top rebel figure.
Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron, said current operations are focused on capturing Edilberto Daval and Julia Cagadas, considered the last major leaders in the region.
Daval, known by the alias “Bongwaco,” heads the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and carries a ₱5.1-million bounty.
Cagadas, alias “Rhedda,” leads the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, with a ₱5.3-million reward for her capture.
“These two are the ones left after our operations diminished their ranks,” Anayron said.
“If we get these two, we will see the collapse of the NPA presence in Caraga, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental.”
The military’s assessment follows the death of Bonifacio Lutawan, vice commander of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Troops from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion killed Lutawan, 50, also known as “Tado,” during a series of firefights in Sitio Tacocom, Barangay Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur, on Feb. 15.
8IB commander Lt. Col. Jeorge Jallorina, said Lutawan was killed in a second encounter on Sunday while trying to lead his group through a military cordon.
“We have reason to believe that ‘Tado’ sacrificed himself to allow his followers to escape,” Jallorina said.
Military intelligence estimates that Daval commands about 25 armed fighters in Caraga, while Cagadas leads around 27 fighters operating along the Bukidnon–Agusan del Sur border.
