A suspected leader of the Regional Instructors Bureau of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the military and police in Polomolok, South Cotabato Friday evening.
Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Noel Pamaong, also known by the aliases ‘Lauro’ and ‘Santi.’
He had an outstanding warrant of arrest for multiple attempted homicide issued on July 6, 2023, by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 in Surallah, South Cotabato.
Pamatong reportedly resisted arrest and traded shots with lawmen, forcing soldiers to return fire.
Catu said the operation was carried out by personnel of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, led by Brig. Gen. Omar V. Orozco, and the 603rd Infantry Brigade, under Col. Manuel Leo Q. Gador and operatives of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (PPO).
During the operation, authorities recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade.
Catu, also commander of Joint Task Force Central, underscored the importance of close coordination among security forces in conducting law enforcement operations.
Catu commended the personnel of the 1st Mechanized Brigade and 603rd Infantry Brigade, as well as the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office and the local residents who continue to support efforts to maintain peace and security in their respective areas of responsibility.
Catu said the follow-up operation is ongoing to locate Pamatong’s companions still in the mountains of South Cotabato.