Number 1 most wanted NPA leader killed in Davao de Oro clash

Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, Davao de Oro spokesman Captain Mark Anthony Tito reported that Villanueva was killed in a firefight between the troops under 1001st Infantry Brigade and some members of the communist rebels in Barangay Libudon, Mabini in said province on Wednesday evening.

Tito said Villanueva is the longest-serving Secretary of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), currently the Secretary of Komisyong Mindanao (KOMMID), and Commanding Officer of the NPA’s National Operations Command (NOC).

He is also a member of the POLITBURO of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Villanueva was one of the founding members of the NPA in Mindanao during the 1970s together with Edgar Jopson. During his student years in Ateneo de Manila, he was an activist under the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) and went underground when Martial Law was declared. 

Villanueva supervised the operations of the CPP/NPA in the whole of Mindanao and directly controlled the operations of the New People’s Army (NPA) as head of the National Operations Command of the NPA.  

Tito said the encounter took place following the reported presence of the armed group disrupting the peace in said area. 

According to Tito,Villanueva was hit in several parts of his body resulting to his death.

Troops are still conducting pursuit operations to the fleeing communist rebels.

Brigadier General Jesus Durante lll, commander of 1001st IB, meanwhile commended the troops’ prompt and deliberate actions which further contributed to the peace efforts of the whole Davao Region. 

“The 51 years reign of terror of Menandro Villanueva is finally over. His victims were finally given justice. Alias Bok has several warrants of arrests to include multiple murder, double frustrated murder, arson, robbery with intimidation, rebellion, among others,” Durante said.

He further renewed his call to the fleeing NPAs, "Surrender now while you still can. Don't wait to suffer the same fate as Menandro Villanueva. The government is always willing to accept you if you decide to return to the folds of the law." Durante added. 

Major General Ernesto C Torres Jr, 10th ID commander also commended his troops especially the 1001st Infantry Brigade for their outstanding performance in pursuing the top leadership of the SMRC and KOMMID. 

“This is a clear manifestation that the CPP/NPA in the whole Mindanao is losing ground. Mindanao's most wanted terrorist is now finally neutralized by your Agila Troopers. They have nowhere to hide because the masses are already fed up with the abuses and extortion they perpetrated for more than five decades,” Torres said.

The death of Villanueva, Torres said signals the impending end of the communist insurgency in Mindanao.

On December 24,2021 , 1001st IB also figured in an armed engagement with the same group that resulted in the death of Anna Sandra Reyes alias Kaye, the Secretary of Regional White Area Committee (RWAC), SMRC. 

The death of the two top personalities of the Central Committee of the CPP/NPA is a colossal blow that makes its downfall irreversible, Torres added.

10ID is still in pursuit against an NPA couple, Eric Casilao alias Wally and May Casilao alias Gab.

The two are high-ranking members of SMRC.