In Samar
TACLOBAN CITY — Government troops have killed an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and recovered a high-powered firearm following a series of encounters in Samar, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) reported.
The fatality, identified only as alias ‘John Paul,’ was a member of the Regional Security Force under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
He was killed during a firefight on April 17, 2026, in the hinterlands of Barangay Salvacion, Jiabong, Samar, involving troops from the 46th Infantry Battalion (IB).
Soldiers recovered an M4 Bushmaster rifle at the scene after the encounter.
According to the military, the victim was left behind by fleeing fellow NPA members. His remains were brought to a funeral home in Catbalogan City and are awaiting identification and proper turnover to his family.
The encounter was part of a series of intensified military operations across Samar Island.
Prior to the encounter in Jiabong town, troops from the 19th IB also clashed with another rebel unit in Northern Samar.
On the same day as the Jiabong encounter, government forces discovered a cache of firearms in Sta. Rita, Samar.
The 8ID said the incidents reflect ongoing efforts to weaken insurgent groups operating in Eastern Visayas and reiterated its call for the remaining rebels to surrender and avail themselves of government reintegration programs.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
