NPA leader slain in North Cotabato shootout

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in Sitio Lacobe, Barangay Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato on Friday.

Juanita Tacadao, with aliases of Isay and Maring, shot it out with personnel of the 39th Infantry Battalion and Makilala police serving warrants for murder and robbery, according to Brig. Gen. Adonis Bajao, commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade. Her companions managed to escape.

Bajao said Tacadao is the regional, logistics and finance head of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Guerrilla Front.

An M14 rifle, a caliber .38 pistol, a landmine, two blasting caps and a detonating cord were recovered at the scene.

Soldiers overran another alleged hideout of Tacadao’s group in Sitio Blazan, Barangay Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur shortly after the incident.

An M16 rifle, an improvised shotgun, a hand grenade and ammunition were among those seized at the NPA lair.