Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante (center), commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, awards a Gold Cross Medal to a trooper from the Army's 901st Infantry Brigade at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday (Feb. 17, 2025). The operating troops were able to neutralize Myrna Sularte, widow of former top NPA regional leader George Madlos, in an encounter Feb. 12 in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City. (Image courtesy of 4ID)
MindanaoToday.com | NPA leader’s death to boost development, Army says
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army believes the recent death of a key New People’s Army (NPA) leader will help spur economic growth in Northeastern Mindanao.
Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Monday that the death of Myrna Sularte could bring positive changes to rural areas.
“Some former NPA strongholds have the potential to become tourist attractions,” Bergante said.
Sularte and her late husband, Jorge Madlos, were long-time leaders of NPA operations in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga region.
Sularte was killed on Feb. 12 during an encounter in Sitio Tugalahi, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City. Madlos was killed in Bukidnon on Oct. 30, 2021.
On Monday, Bergante also awarded Gold Cross Medals to 18 soldiers from the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade for their role in the operation.
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