Joint government forces under the 401st Infantry Brigade neutralized a high-ranking communist rebel leader and captured another rebel member during an armed encounter in Surigao del Sur on Monday, May 11.
The clash happened in Sitio Casting, Barangay Bayan, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Troops from the 75th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion engaged members of the New People’s Army operating under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Military authorities identified the slain rebel leader as Edilberto Daval, also known as “Bong,” “Waco,” and “Bill.”
The military said Daval served as the second deputy secretary of the Executive Committee of NEMRC and commanding officer of the Regional Operations Command.
Authorities also captured Jaymark Bada Lamela, also known as “Miggy” and “Migz,” who was identified as a security member of the Regional Operations Command.
Government troops recovered one Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle and one R4 rifle from the encounter site.
Military officials recalled that previous encounters also resulted in the deaths of several communist rebel members, including Daval’s wife, Lucena Canda, also known as “Louise” and “Madi,” during an operation on April 17, 2026.
Col. Glenn Joy Aynera, acting commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, said the latest development reflected the weakening operational capability of the communist terrorist group in the region.
