A TOP-RANKING leader of the New People’s Army died on Saturday, Feb.9, while trying to escape pursuing government troops in Camarines Sur, a Philippine Army spokesman said.

        Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, said NPA chieftain Manuel Lola, alias Ka Jara, suffered multiple injuries and was brought to the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital for immediate medical treatment. He was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

        Col. Ramos Baldemor, Philippine Army 31st Infantry Battalion commander, reported that his troops spotted Jara in Bgy. San Isidro, Libmanan, on board his motorcycle.

        Jara tried to escape when he saw the soldiers, who began pursuing him.

        The government troops recovered a caliber .45 pistol with undetermined rounds of ammunition from Jara.

        Intelligence reports showed that Jara held various positions in the underground movement.

        Among them were executive committee member of ‘Komite sa Probinsiya’ in Camarines Sur, 2nd Secretary of Front Committee 73, front operational command member, provincial operational command member, and commanding officer of ‘Sentro Depensa Grupo’, operating in the entire province of Camarines Sur.

        The fall of another top NPA leader is a big setback to the communist insurgency in the Bicol Region due to the successful security operations of Army’s 9th Infantry Division, Torres said.