Manila, Feb. 13 -- Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in the Caraga Region welcomed the death of Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, the top leader of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the area, calling it a long-awaited justice for IP victims of her group's atrocities.

Sularte, secretary of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), was killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City on Wednesday.

Datu Rico Maca, chair of the Association of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) in Caraga, expressed relief over the development.

"Justice is served to IP leaders and members who lost their lives during the reign of terror of Maria Malaya. We commend the government troops fo...