Micabalo, alias Muling who was the Regional Secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and a member of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee.
The troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion engaged in a firefight against the members of Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad MTJ Eagles, Sub-Regional Committee 1, of NCMRC following a report from concerned citizens regarding the presence of armed men conducting illegal activities in the area.
The operating team seized at the encounter site an AK47 Rifle, magazines, Caliber .22 rifle, six backpacks with personal belongings, terrorist documents, electronic devices, and other supplies.
EastMinCom Cimmander Lieutenant General Greg Almerol said that Micabalo's group was responsible for numerous atrocities and criminal activities in most parts of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and parts of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. He also had various criminal records, including double murder with frustrated murder, multiple frustrated murder and arson, murder, and violation of Republic Act 9851.
Almerol lauded the cooperation of civilians and the tireless dedication of JTF Diamond troops that led to the death of Micabalo.
"Muling has been on the run since the dismantling of all seven guerrilla fronts under NCMRC in 2020. With his demise, the incoming dismantling of the NCMRC is already in sight. This is part of our goal to defeat the CTG in Eastern Mindanao this year. Without him leading the way for the survival of his subordinates, their only solution is to surrender or face the same fate," he said in a statement.
"This is a crucial moment for their remaining members to yield, especially since our President has recently issued a pronouncement to grant amnesty to former rebels," Almerol said.
Photos from EastMinCom