BRIG. GEN. Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division, targeted ending insurgency in his area of responsibility by the end of September, despite the New People’s Army (NPA) maintaining a force of over 100 members.
“We have been given a new target to finish our internal security operations here by the end of September,” Anayron said in a previous interview with TIMES, responding to a question about when the 4ID area would be free of insurgents.
He specified that the remaining NPA strength in the 4ID area is just over 100, combining members of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
He further broke down the numbers, estimating around 80 members in the NCMRC and approximately 90 in the NEMRC.
Anayron explained how the 4ID plans to capitalize on recent losses inflicted on the NPA.
“We will continue pursuing the armed group while simultaneously creating avenues for them to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society. We are maintaining our partnerships with other stakeholders.”
“As I’ve told stakeholders before,” he continued, “we’ve reached the point of sustaining our gains. This phase requires more than just the expertise and resources of the armed forces; it demands the involvement of local government units and various regional and national agencies. This is because it involves delivering services and addressing the root causes that led individuals to join the armed struggle.”
He emphasized a two-pronged approach.
“For those who refuse to surrender, we must demonstrate that they cannot win. At the same time, we offer alternatives—they can still pursue their goals for the community through peaceful means. We assist by delivering services and providing livelihood opportunities, addressing the issues of poverty and perceived government neglect. We are offering them a different path, a way to channel their aspirations through partnership and collaboration.”
“Instead of Filipinos killing each other,” Anayron asked, “why not work together to improve conditions in Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas? We are not happy to see fellow Filipinos die. But they chose armed struggle, leaving us no choice but to pursue them and protect innocent civilians, especially our Indigenous Peoples in Caraga, from their harassment.”
Regarding other key NPA leaders being pursued in Regions X and Caraga, Anayron stated, “Currently, only Julia Cagadas, alias Reda or alias Kayuka, remains a target in the NCMRC.
Beyond that, we have other targets. We are monitoring potential replacements who might emerge… so we will continue targeting them, including any new NEMRC leader, until we finally end the armed struggle.”
The recent death of Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, has potentially crippled the NEMRC, as the communist leader had no clear successor, Anayron revealed on Thursday.
He anticipates a wave of surrenders following Sularte’s death in a clash with government forces in Sitio Imelda, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Sularte, wife of Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, who died in a military operation in Bukidnon in October 2021, was the secretary of the NEMRC, operating in the Caraga Region (Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao City).
She was also a political bureau member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and an executive committee member of Komisyong Mindanao (KOMMID).
A native of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, she was one of the country’s most wanted NPA leaders, facing multiple criminal charges, including murder, multiple murders, frustrated murder, robbery with double homicide, destruction of property, and other offenses.
