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Government troops reported an armed encounter with suspected New People’s Army members on Thursday in Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.
The 203rd Infantry Brigade said soldiers from the 76th Infantry Battalion and the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion engaged what it called a “Communist Terrorist Group” after residents alerted them of armed individuals in the area.
Authorities said the encounter followed reports that the group had gathered to mark the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines and to celebrate the New Year.
The military recovered identification cards, ATM cards, personal items, food, medical kits, and alleged subversive documents, which were displayed on its social media accounts.
Local officials are coordinating with police to enforce Abra de Ilog’s “Dayo Ordinance,” urging residents to report unfamiliar or suspicious visitors in the community.
CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena said the NPA unit was observing a unilateral ceasefire from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 and was in the area to provide medical and other services to mostly Mangyan communities.
Valbuena accused government forces of disrupting peace in the area, claiming the military employed heavy gunfire and helicopter support, frightening civilians in the vicinity.
