“Ka Oris” is Covid-19 positive, says the military

BY SONY SUDARIA & OSCAR LEDESMA, MDNN News Bureau

Covid-19 positive

BUKIDNON PROVINCE – Slain communist party leader Jorge Madlos alias “Ka Oris” tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease. After a result of his RT-PCR test was released, the Philippine Army command in Cagayan de Oro reported Wednesday.

Madlos and his female medical aide, Eighfel Dela Peña, died in a reported encounter last October 30 with the elite government forces in the hinterlands of Sitio Dagunan, barangay Dumalaguing in Impasug-ong town, this province.

Although the NPA leadership belied reports their leader was slain in a legitimate encounter, instead, they claimed: “Ka Oris” was ambushed on his way to seek medical treatment in Cagayan de Oro.  

In a statement, the military said, Madlos remains was confirmed after their clearing operations, and it was brought to the army headquarters in Cagayan de Oro for proper burial rites.

Fourth Infantry Division Commander Gen Romeo Brawner Jr. told the media that Madlos body was cremated on Tuesday after he was confirmed positive of the virus, following strict protocols of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF).

Brawner said Madlos’ cremated body was immediately turned over to the local government of Impasug-ong in Bukidnon province to give way from the immediate families to claim “Ka Oris” urn.

The highest official of the 4ID Diamond division also explained that conducting swab tests on slain rebels, captured, or surrendered, has been part of the military’s standard procedures to prevent soldiers from the dangerous viral infection of covid-19.  

Madlos’ woman aide also tested positive for the deadly virus, based on her swab test result, Brawner said, adding that her body was also cremated.