Government forces have killed one suspected communist rebel and recovered weapons following a firefight in Occidental Mindoro, military officials said.

The clash occurred in Sitio Salidang, Barangay Naibuan, San Jose town at approximately 08:35 Friday morning, August 01, 2025, according to the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion.

Troops under Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Glenn D Romero engaged with remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Following the encounter, soldiers recovered the body of an unidentified rebel, along with an M16 rifle, four magazines, two hammocks, a mobile phone, ammunition, and what authorities described as “subversive documents”.

Lieutenant Colonel Romero has called on remaining NPA members to surrender to government forces and lay down their arms.

Military operations continue in the area as troops pursue other suspected rebels, with police assistance.

file photo by the Philippine Army (for illustration purposes only)