Troops from the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion of the Philippine Army engaged in a firefight with approximately 15 suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Saturday in Sitio Lumboy, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, reports said Sunday, March 02, 2025.
The military operation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Glenn Romero, was launched following intelligence reports about the presence of alleged communist rebels in the area.
According to the 4th Infantry Battalion headquarters, Mansalay police forces have joined the military in pursuing the suspected insurgents who retreated into nearby forested areas. Search operations are continuing in possible hiding locations.
Military officials confirmed that residents of Sitio Lumboy remain safe and unharmed.
No casualties or injuries were reported among government forces during the encounter.
The clash occured amid surrender of other NPA combatants.
In January 2025, three former NPA members surrendered to the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) MIMAROPA, turning over one hand grenade.
On February 17, 2025, two additional former rebels surrendered to authorities. All surrenderers were identified as former members of the dismantled Kilusang Larangan Gerilya Mark Anthony Velasco (KLG MAV) under the Southern Regional Military Area 4D.
The 4th Infantry Battalion has recently raised worries about alleged disinformation activities in the area.
In another development, military officials claimed that groups introducing themselves as “Karapatan – Southern Tagalog” have been conducting unauthorized activities in various barangays in Bulalacao town, allegedly spreading anti-government information among indigenous communities.
In a statement, the 4th Infantry Battalion urged residents of Bulalacao and neighboring municipalities to be vigilant against what they termed as “fake news” being disseminated by groups opposed to the military’s presence in the area.
The Philippine government continues its intensified campaign to end the five-decade-long communist insurgency through Executive Order No. 70, which established a “whole-of-nation” approach.
Former rebels who surrender are processed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), designed to help them reintegrate into society and encourage others to abandon armed struggle.
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