BANSUD, ORIENTAL MINDORO — Philippine Army troops clashed with communist rebels in two consecutive encounters yesterday (Nov. 5, 2024) resulting in the recovery of high-powered firearms and other war materials.

The 76th Infantry Battalion, under the 203rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, engaged around 15 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Villa Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

The rebels, believed to be from the combined forces of the Ignacio Claveria Magadia (ICM) and Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU), Sub-Regional Military Area 4D (SRMA 4D), Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC), were tracked down with the help of local residents and indigenous people in the area.

Seized during the encounters were high-powered firearms, explosives, war materials, ammunition, sensitive documents, and personal belongings.

The military and police are currently pursuing the fleeing rebels, and the 76th Infantry Battalion is urging wounded NPA members to surrender, promising assistance if needed.

In Mindoro island, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division has been actively campaigning against the NPA, a communist rebel group that has been waging a decades-long insurgency in the country.