Intense fighting erupted early Tuesday, February 11, as government forces engaged communist insurgents in two separate operations in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro provinces.

The first encounter occurred in Sitio Tignuan, Barangay Sta. Teresita, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, while the second took place in Sitio Kalinisan, Barangay Bayotbot, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

Combined forces from the 68th Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion and the 4th Infantry (Scorpion) Battalion, operating under the 203rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army (2ID, PA), targeted members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), under the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC).

The operations were launched after Mangyan indigenous communities reported suspicious movements and activities in their area.

Military officials said the operation disrupted rebel activities and ensured the safety of civilians in the island.

In a separate gunbattle, troops from the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Erwin Glenn Romero, encountered an estimated 20 NPA fighters in Sitio Tignuan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

The military has since intensified its pursuit of the fleeing rebels, with Mansalay police forces providing support to the operations.

As of now, residents in the affected areas have been reported safe, and no casualties have been reported on the government side.

In a statement, the Philippine Army headquarters reiterated the government’s commitment to peace and reconciliation.

“We act only against threats to peace. Our aim is reconciliation, not conflict,” the Army said. “Only 14 months are left for surrenderers to claim amnesty and its accompanying benefits, and the clock is ticking. The choice is simple: continue a life of uncertainty or step into a future of peace and opportunity. The time to act is now.”

Military officials called on rebels to reintegrate into society, reminding them that agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide livelihood training and job opportunities.

“We stand firm in offering a fresh start to those who lay down their arms,” he added.

The Philippine Army also called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate in efforts to eliminate the NPA, which it describes as a threat to peace and stability in the country.

(file photo on NPA insurgents is used for illustration purposes only.)