TACLOBAN CITY: Two rebels, including a high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), died in a gun battle with soldiers in upland Sulitan village in Catubig, Northern Samar, on Tuesday. The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division identified the fatalities as alias Baste, a platoon and squad leader of front 15, NPA sub-regional committee arctic, and alias Jino, a member of Squad 2 in the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

According to Philippines News Agency, government troops also recovered one M16 rifle, four .45-caliber magazines, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site. The clash occurred after government forces responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area. The confrontation lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two of their dead comrades.

Brig. Gen. Perfecto Peñaredondo, acting commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, expressed
sadness over the deaths of the rebels in what he described as a senseless struggle. He emphasized the avoidable nature of the loss of lives due to misguided ideology and urged the remaining rebels to consider a peaceful path and become advocates for peace. He highlighted the shared dream of a peaceful and progressive community.

Northern Samar is recognized as the last bastion of insurgency in the country. The military recently dismantled two NPA front committees, causing its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerrilla unit. Although there are still active fighters in Northern Samar, they no longer control any village in Samar Island, according to the Philippine Army.