Seven members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed during a firefight with government troops in Barangay San Mateo, Uson, Masbate, on Sunday morning, July 27.
According to the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion, the encounter happened around 6 a.m. as soldiers carried out an intelligence-driven mission against remnants of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya–South (KLG-S), a unit under the Bicol Regional Party Committee.
The clash lasted about 30 minutes and resulted in the deaths of seven rebels. Authorities recovered several high-powered firearms from the site, including four M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an M14 rifle, an M653 rifle, and a Bushmaster rifle. The military also seized subversive documents and personal items.
Six of the seven slain individuals were identified as Leony Atibagos Monillar (alias WARREN), a political officer; Mario Verdida (alias MAYONG); Alex Moreno (alias ALEX); Rodel Abigan (alias TATA); and two others known as RUWEL and RICK. All were reportedly part of Platoon 1 under KLG-S, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Major General Aldwine Almase of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division called the operation a major blow to the NPA’s presence in the region.
Despite the outcome, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterated that force is only used as a last resort and encouraged remaining insurgents to surrender and join the government’s reintegration program under E-CLIP.
