Military says NPA leader killed in South Cotabato encounter

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A high-ranking communist instructor wanted for attempted homicide was killed in a legitimate law enforcement operation in South Cotabato last week, the military announced, directly contradicting rebel assertions that the man was an ailing, unarmed retiree allegedly executed by state forces.

The conflicting narratives center on the October 30 death of 60-year-old Noel Pamaong in Barangay Silway 8, Polomolok town.

In an official Facebook post of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Saturday, October 31, it said that Pamaong — known in the underground movement as “Lauro” or “Santi” — was a dangerous fugitive who headed the Regional Instructors Bureau of the New People’s Army (NPA). 

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According to the 6ID, joint elements of the army and police moved in to serve a July 2023 arrest warrant for multiple attempted homicide when the encounter occurred at around 8:30 p.m.

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Authorities said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade from the scene.

But for the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR), Pamaong was hors de combat — a former combatant “entirely incapable of fighting” due to severe ailments, including chronic kidney disease, rheumatism, and diabetes.

In an email to the Inquirer Monday, November 2, NDF-FSMR spokesperson Kim Montiza vehemently denied military claims of a shootout, stating Pamaong had been inactive and living with the masses since 2024. 

Montiza accused state forces of planting the pistol and grenade to legitimize an “overkill” operation, noting that Pamaong was simply traveling to visit a relative.

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His civilian companion and driver, Laurence Porras, was also shot during the raid and remains in critical condition.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, lauded the operation, emphasizing the tight coordination between the 1st Mechanized Brigade, the 603rd Infantry Brigade, and the South Cotabato provincial police.

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Catu credited the active support of local residents in helping authorities track the fugitive and neutralize the security threat.

The NDF, however, maintains the raid was a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law and is calling on human rights advocates to launch an independent investigation into the killing. /gsg