A 29-year-old Corporal of the Philippine Army was killed in a series of encounters between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Sto. Niño, Tanjay City in Negros Oriental on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Troops from the 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion clashed with members of the NPA’s Southeast Front–Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros (SF-KR-N), a guerrilla front earlier declared dismantled by the government.
The firefights erupted at around 5:35 am, followed by separate clashes at approximately 6:30am, 7am, and 7:14am, according to military reports.
Killed in action (KIA) was Corporal Reynold Gardose, a native of Tapaz, Capiz. He had been serving with the 11th Infantry Battalion since 2019 and died in the line of duty during the operation.
Another soldier, a 28-year-old Private First Class, was wounded and brought to a hospital for treatment. Reports said he did not sustain gunshot wounds but was struck by a rock during the exchange of fire in a hilly area.
Recovered from the encounter sites were hand grenades, long and short magazines for M16 rifles, a magazine for a .45-caliber pistol, assorted ammunition, personal belongings, and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.
The leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division commended the troops for preventing what they described as “remnants” of the NPA in Negros Oriental from regrouping, while honoring the fallen soldier’s heroism.
“We will ensure that the sacrifice of our soldier will never be in vain,” said 3rd Infantry Division commander Major General Michael G. Samson in a statement.
“His legacy reminds us that freedom and security come at a price, and it is our solemn duty to see that his ultimate sacrifice paves the way for a safer, more peaceful, and CTG-free environment for all Negrenses,” he added.
Samson also urged Negrenses to continue supporting peace initiatives, emphasizing that unity among the Army, local government units, and communities remains vital to achieving lasting peace and stability across the Negros Island Region (NIR).*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.