By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in the Caraga Region welcomed the death of Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, the top leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the area, calling it a long-awaited justice for IP victims of her group’s atrocities.
Sularte, secretary of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), was killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City on Wednesday.
Datu Rico Maca, chair of the Association of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) in Caraga, expressed relief over the development.
“Justice is served to IP leaders and members who lost their lives during the reign of terror of Maria Malaya. We commend the government troops for ensuring the peace and stability of our communities,” Maca said in an interview Thursday.
He highlighted several killings attributed to Sularte’s group, including the hacking death of Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, a 73-year-old Manobo tribal chieftain in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, on March 19, 2020.
The NEMRC was also blamed for the ambush-slaying of Hawudon Jumar Bucales, IPMR of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, and his two companions on Oct. 4, 2020. Other victims included Bingbong Elizalde and Datu Rexan Brital, both killed in San Miguel town in August 2018.
Maca, also the IPMR of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, noted that hundreds of IPs, including youths recruited by the NEMRC, lost their lives in the conflict.
An IP youth leader who declined to be named praised the military, particularly the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), for neutralizing Sularte.
“Her death will confuse the remaining NPA members under the NEMRC. I hope they will now accept the government’s offer to live in peace,” the youth leader said Wednesday.
He urged local government units and agencies to accelerate development programs in IP communities to address the root causes of insurgency. (PNA)
