Joint government forces neutralized an alleged New People’s Army member and recovered a high-powered firearm and other war materiel following an encounter in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro, on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Initial reports from the 203rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Brigade said combined troops from the 1st Infantry “Always First” Battalion, 68th Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with members of the armed group after residents reported the presence of Communist Terrorist Group members in the area.
Soldiers recovered one high-powered firearm, war materiel, and personal belongings believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing rebels.
The military said pursuit operations are ongoing against the remaining members of the group. One rebel was also confirmed wounded during the clash.
A day before the encounter, troops recovered an arms cache in Barangay Benli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, based on information provided by a concerned citizen.
The cache contained one M16 rifle, one homemade shotgun, and two improvised explosive devices, which the military said underscored the role of local communities in preventing the NPA from accessing weapons and explosives.
203rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo said the operation reflected growing cooperation between residents and government security forces in addressing remaining threats posed by the Communist Terrorist Group in Mindoro.
“This operation demonstrates that the people of Mindoro continue to reject the presence of terrorist groups in their communities. The information provided by concerned citizens remains invaluable in protecting lives and preserving the peace that our communities have worked hard to achieve,” Ragudo said.
Meanwhile, 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala commended the operating troops and said the accomplishment was made possible through the trust and cooperation of local communities.
“This successful operation is another testament to the strong partnership between our security forces and the communities we serve. Every report from our citizens strengthens our ability to protect lives, dismantle the remaining capabilities of the Communist Terrorist Group, and sustain the gains of peace and development,” Zagala said.
Zagala also urged the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities that could threaten community safety.
The 2nd Infantry Division reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining focused military operations in coordination with the Philippine National Police, local government units, and community stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in Mindoro and the rest of Southern Tagalog.