By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The neutralization of ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader Myrna Sularte, alias Ka Maria Malaya, has created a major leadership vacuum in the ranks of the communist insurgents, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Thursday.
“The neutralization of Ka Maria Malaya has created a significant leadership vacuum, leaving the NPA in disarray and severely demoralizing its dwindling forces. Without strong leadership, the remaining insurgents will struggle to coordinate their operations, further accelerating the collapse of their organization,” he said.
Sularte, secretary of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, was killed during an encounter with government troops in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City on Wednesday.
“Malaya’s death is not just a military success; it is a victory for the Filipino people. Communities long affected by insurgency can now experience true peace, economic growth, and improved quality of life,” Brawner said.
He also commended the unwavering dedication of Filipino troops and the invaluable support of civilians, whose collective efforts led to the successful operation that resulted in Sularte’s neutralization.
Brawner, however, noted that despite this victory, military forces would continue to pursue those who continue to pose a threat to peace and order.
This, he said, is part of the AFP’s commitment to national security and stability.
Brawner also maintained that the NPA is now irrelevant and its cause has lost all legitimacy.
He said that “with the influence of communist insurgents on the decline,” the AFP can now shift its focus toward greater national security challenges, including safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity, combating external threats, and fostering economic progress.
“We strongly urge the remaining NPA members to surrender now and take advantage of the government’s amnesty program to help them reintegrate into society. Choosing peace means securing a better future for themselves and their families, while continued resistance will only lead to the same fate as Malaya,” Brawner said. (PNA)
