COTABATO CITY — The Army’s 10th Infantry Division on Tuesday, May 13, commended local officials and indigenous leaders for helping locate a New People’s Army (NPA) official wanted for 23 criminal cases, who was killed in an encounter over the weekend in Lingig, a town in Surigao del Sur.

Elbert Echavez, the alleged head of the NPA’s self-styled Sentro de Grabidad–Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, died from multiple gunshot wounds after he and his companions exchanged fire with soldiers from the 67th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mendezona, Barangay Rajah Cabungsuan, Lingig.

Local officials and police confirmed that Echavez had been wanted for multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder, arson, armed robbery, extortion, and narcotics trafficking, with cases pending in various courts across Regions 13, 11, and 10.

Maj. Gen. Allan Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, told reporters Tuesday that it was through the cooperation of local officials in Surigao del Sur that the 67th Infantry Battalion learned of Echavez’s presence in Sitio Mendezona.

According to Hambala, Echavez and his men fired first at soldiers deployed to search for him, triggering a firefight that led to his death.

Radio reports from Central Mindanao on Tuesday quoted local officials as saying Echavez’s followers fled when they ran out of ammunition, leaving his body behind.

Hambala also said soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices beside Echavez’s body.

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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