(Journal Online) CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao – A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two (2) other communist rebels were killed in a series of encounters at Brgy Baluan, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on July 30, 2022.

Colonel Michael Santos, Commander of the 603rd Infantry (Persuader) Brigade, said the four successive armed encounters resulted in the killing of Ian Dela Rama alias Cris, a commanding officer of the regional operations command of the Far South Mindanao Region. He was also a former secretary of Front 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee from May 2018 to May 2019. Rama has an existing warrant of arrest with criminal case # 23022 for arson, filed at Branch 3 in Butuan City.

“Also neutralized in the gun fights were Valerio Lacumbo with aliases as Bitoy, Bobit, and Delfin with an existing warrant of arrest with criminal case # 568-2007 for robbery with violence against or intimidation of a person filed in a local court at Kidapawan City and Wilmer Dela Cruz alias Dodong/Grab, a member of Dabu-Dabu Platoon of the South Regional Command of Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region,” Col. Santos said.