MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)—Pedro Codaste alias Gonyong, a top-ranking New People's Army (NPA) commander in Mindanao was killed in an encounter with the combined forces of 4th Infantry Diamond Division’s 16th Infantry Battalion (16IB) and police’s Special Action Force (SAF).
LtCol Neil Armstrong Batayola, commanding officer of 16IB under 402nd Infantry Brigade, said Codaste with comrades were in a rugged forest of Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon where the government forces engaged in a 30-minute gunfight, January 21.
Dead with Codaste of bullet wounds was a male combatant identified as alias Zandro.
An AK47 rifle and a Cal. 45 Pistol were found on the battlefield following the fierce firefight. All soldiers were unhurt, the battalion commander added.
Reports said there were about 15 rebels with Codaste at that time, but all fled the scene during the battle.
Brigadier Gen. Oliver T. Vesliño, acting 4ID commander in a statement disclosed that the encounter broke out after the troopers quickly responded to residents’ reports on the presence of NPA rebels sowing fear in the community.
“Codaste was the second top-ranking commander of the communist group in Mindanao for being the Deputy Secretary of Komisyon Mindanao known to them as KOMMID. After the deaths of Commanders Jorge 'Ka Oris' Madlos, Menandro 'Bok' Villanueva, and Antonio 'Kuba' Cabanatan, he [Codaste] was recently ranked as the Acting Chairman of KOMMID and was said to succeed the top leadership in Mindanao,” Vesliño said.
The slain communist rebel commander was the Peace Consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF); a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee; former Secretary of Guerilla Front 4A in Agusan del Sur; and became Secretary of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in 2009, he added.
Facing multiple cases with warrants of arrest, Codaste, who hailed from Fili, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur is one of the most wanted fugitives for murder, double frustrated murder, and attempted murder.
“We have once again delivered justice to our people. While we extend our sympathies to the families and friends of those killed, Codaste’s death serves as a tangible reminder that the injustices that caused suffering and numerous deaths will forever haunt us. People's rejection of the CPP-NPA-NDF has become more visible. Remaining leaders and members can fend off the same fate by availing themselves of the government's E-CLIP and peacefully live with their families,” BGen. Vesliño said. (DPAO, 4ID, PA/ PIA-10/Bukidnon)
