BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has neutralized Myrna Sularte, also known as “Maria Malaya,” the top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the Caraga region. Sularte was killed in an encounter with government forces from the 30th Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, on the afternoon of February 12, 2025, in the mountainous area of Sitio Imelda, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
According to the 901st Infantry Brigade, a combat operation was launched early in the morning targeting the Regional Headquarters of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), which Sularte led. The military engaged in two separate encounters with her group, resulting in her death and the recovery of several personal belongings. The final confrontation took place in Sitio Tagulahi, Barangay Pianing, leading to the demise of Sularte.
Brigadier General Arsenio D.C. Sadural, Commander of the 901st Brigade, confirmed Sularte’s identity and described her as the Secretary of the Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPP. She was also the widow of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, a high-ranking NPA commander who was killed in an encounter with government forces in Bukidnon in October 2021.
Sularte was considered one of the most wanted NPA commanders in the country and had multiple criminal cases filed against her, including rebellion, destructive arson, robbery with double homicide, damage to property, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery in band, and multiple murder.
Her death marks another significant blow to the CPP-NPA in Mindanao, as government forces continue intensified counter-insurgency efforts to weaken the armed communist movement in the region.
