CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, successfully neutralized the top NPA leader of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in an encounter on July 26, 2023, in Brgy. Libertad, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
During the 10-minute firefight, the troops of 58IB under Lt. Col. Christian C Uy engaged with approximately 10 CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) from the Sentro De Gravidad (SDG) MTJ Eagles of the Sub Regional Committee 1 (SRC1) of NCMRC. The encounter resulted in the death of the CTG leader, Dionisio Micabalo alias Muling. Additionally, the military captured one (1) AK Rifle, one (1) Cal .22 Rifle, and various war materiel and personal belongings.
Brigadier General Adonis Ariel Orio, the 402nd Brigade Commander, identified Dionisio Micabalo as the lone fatality during the encounter. Micabalo, aged 61 and a resident of Dancagan, Bukidnon, was the notorious Secretary of the NCMRC. His group was responsible for numerous atrocities and criminal activities in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and parts of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
BGen. Orio revealed that Micabalo was a wanted fugitive, facing charges of rebellion, double murder with frustrated murder, multiple frustrated murder and arson, and murder and violation of RA 9851. He was one of the top two NPA leaders in the area, with Myrna Sularte alias Iyay/Imang serving as the Secretary of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in most parts of the Caraga region.
In a statement, Major General Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, Commander of 4ID, praised the efforts of 58IB and the 402nd Brigade, noting that the demise of Micabalo could potentially weaken the NCRMC and crumble their influence in Northern Mindanao.
“After the dismantling of all seven (7) guerrilla fronts under NCMRC since 2020, Micabalo was on the run, continuously evading and remaining highly mobile to avoid capture and engagement with our troops. With his death, his criminal acts have been halted, and justice is served to the hundreds of innocent victims of their crimes. This is an opportune moment for the remaining members to lay down their weapons and embrace the path of peace, especially as our President recently issued a pronouncement to grant amnesty to former rebels. It is time for them to yield and cooperate so that we can fully support the government’s effort to achieve peace and prosperous communities.”
