Seven suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were reported killed while nine high-powered firearms were seized in a military operation in Barangay San Mateo, Uson, Masbate, on Sunday, July 27.
According to the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID), soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Battalion encountered armed men believed to be members of the NPA’s Komiteng Larangang Perilya (KLG) South, Sub-Regional Committee 4 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee, around 6:00 a.m. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes.
Among the seized firearms were four M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an M14 rifle, a Bushmaster rifle, and an M653 rifle. Also retrieved were personal items and subversive documents.
Military officials viewed the operation as a significant blow to the dwindling communist insurgency in the region.
Nonetheless, the 9ID stressed that combat operations are not the primary approach to resolving armed conflict.
“This successful operation delivers a major blow to the already weakening Communist Terrorist Group. However, the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) emphasized that armed encounters are not their primary solution to insurgency,” the Army said in a statement.
It renewed calls for the NPA holdouts to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs.
The clash was part of intensified focused military operations under Joint Task Force Bicolandia, following directives issued by newly appointed 9ID commander Maj. Gen. Aldwine Almase.
The Army continues to appeal to communist rebels to lay down their arms and contribute to efforts toward lasting peace and development in the region.
