One member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during an armed encounter with government troops in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro, on July 9, military officials said.
The clash involved combined forces from the 1st Infantry Battalion, 68th Infantry Battalion, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion after residents reported the presence of members of the Communist Terrorist Group in the area.
Following the encounter, government troops recovered a high-powered firearm, war materiel, and other belongings abandoned at the scene. Military operations continued as soldiers pursued the remaining armed individuals who fled. Authorities said one of the fleeing members was confirmed wounded during the firefight.
A day before the encounter, troops also recovered an arms cache in Barangay Benli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro after receiving information from a concerned resident.
The recovered cache contained one M16 rifle, one homemade shotgun, and two improvised explosive devices, according to the military.
Authorities said the separate recovery formed part of ongoing security operations in Mindoro aimed at locating and dismantling armed groups operating in the area.
The military said the July 9 encounter and the earlier recovery of weapons were made possible through information provided by local residents.
Pursuit operations remain underway as security forces continue efforts to locate the remaining members who escaped following the clash.
Military units involved in the operation said they will continue coordinated security efforts in partnership with the Philippine National Police, local government units, and community stakeholders as part of ongoing operations in Mindoro and the Southern Tagalog region.
No casualties were reported among government troops during the encounter. The military has not released the identity of the slain NPA member or the wounded individual as operations continue.
