Alleged NPA leader killed in Davao de Oro clash —military

An alleged officer of New People's Army (NPA) rebels was killed in a firefight with government troops in Mabini, Davao de Oro, on Wednesday evening, the military said Thursday.

In a statement, the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) identified the fatality as Menandro Villanueva alias Bok, described as the most wanted communist rebel in Mindanao.

It said Villanueva died after sustaining gunshot wounds in different parts of his body during the encounter with troops from the 1001st Infantry Brigade (1001IB).

The military said Villanueva was the longest-serving secretary of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and was also the secretary of Komisyong Mindanao, commanding officer of the NPA's National Operations Command, and member of the POLITBURO of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

He is also one of the founding members of the NPA in Mindanao during the 1970s together with Edgar Jopson, it added.

The military said troops went to the area following a tip from a concerned citizen regarding the presence of communist rebels.

Troops are still conducting pursuit operations against Villanueva's companions.

Brigadier General Jesus P Durante III, commander of the 1001IB, commended the troops for the operation.

"The 51 years reign of terror of Menandro Villanueva is finally over," he said. "His victims were finally given justice."

Durante said Villanueva has several warrants of arrests for multiple murder, double frustrated murder, arson, robbery with intimidation, and rebellion, among others. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News