Top NPA leader in Mindanao, cohort killed in Bukidnon clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 25, 2022): Top NPA leader in Mindanao, cohort killed in Bukidnon clash

DEVASTATING BLOW. The Army’s 4th Infantry Division confirms on Tuesday (Jan. 25, 2022) the death of Pedro Codaste alias Gonyong/Serv, the NPA’s second topmost commander in Mindanao (right photo), together with a cohort, in Barangay Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon following a clash on Jan. 21, 2022. Recovered from the slain rebels were an AK-47 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, mobile phones, and personal belongings (left photo). (Photos courtesy of 4ID)

A New People’s Army (NPA) high-ranking leader in Mindanao and a cohort were killed in an encounter with Army and police troops in Bukidnon last week.

In a statement Tuesday, Brig. Gen Oliver T. Vesliño, acting 4th Infantry Division (4ID) commander, said combined forces of the 16th Infantry Battalion (16IB) and the police’s Special Action Force killed Pedro Codaste alias Gonyong/Serv, the deputy secretary of the NPA's Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID), and a certain alias Zandro, an NPA member.

Vesliño said the duo were killed in an 30-minute encounter in Barangay Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon on Jan. 21.

In his report to the 4ID, Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong Batayola, commanding officer of 16IB under the 402nd Infantry Brigade, said they responded to the complaint of citizens regarding an armed group conducting atrocities in the area, which resulted in an encounter against 15 rebels and the recovery of two dead male bodies, and the seizure of two firearms -- one AK-47 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol.

Vesliño lauded the joint forces for the successful operation which resulted in the death of Codaste as he was considered to succeed the top leadership in Mindanao.

“Codaste was considered as the acting KOMMID chairman after the death of Cabanatan alias Kuba, Madlos alias Ka Oris, and Villanueva alias Ka Bok. He is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee and consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF),” Vesliño said.

He added that the slain NPA leader was also the former secretary of the Guerrilla Front 4A (GF4A) in Agusan del Sur during the early '90s then later became secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in 2009.

Codaste was elected to the Central Committee during the CPP's 2nd Congress in 2016, Vesliño further said.

Facing multiple cases with warrants of arrest, Codaste was one of the most wanted fugitives for murder, double frustrated murder, and attempted murder.

“We have once again delivered justice for our people. While we extend our sympathies to the families and friends of those killed, Codaste’s death is a tangible reminder that injustices that brought suffering and numerous deaths will forever haunt us. A clearer manifestation of the people in rejecting the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Vesliño said.

He urged the remaining NPA leaders and members to avoid the same fate that Codaste had by availing of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and to peacefully return to their families.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166274