A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during an armed encounter with the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, on Friday afternoon, March 14.
According to reports from the 203rd Infantry Brigade, the firefight occurred after troops from the 4th Infantry Battalion launched security operations in response to civilian reports of extortion activities in Sitio Cabuyao, Barangay Panaytayan.
The clash lasted 15 minutes before the armed group retreated. Government forces reported no casualties on their side, while one NPA member was killed. Soldiers recovered an M16 rifle at the site.
MGen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., commander of the 2ID, praised local residents for their vigilance in reporting the presence of armed groups, which has been instrumental in recent operations. Rex Espiritu
This recent encounter follows a similar incident on December 19 last year in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, where a female NPA member was killed, and war materiel was seized during a clash with government forces.