TACLOBAN CITY — At least four alleged members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of clashes with government troops Thursday morning in the hinterlands of Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Reports from the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division disclosed that operating troops engaged members of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee’s Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Barangay San Isidro around 2:30 a.m.

The operation followed a tip from a civilian about armed men extorting and threatening farmers in the area.

Military officials said the communist stronghold was fortified and surrounded by anti-personnel mines, prompting troops to request fire support.

En route to the initial encounter site, reinforcing troops from the 803rd Infantry Brigade encountered another group of NPA rebels around 10 a.m., west of the first clash.