An armed encounter between the Philippine Army and members of a communist terrorist group (CTG) left one dead at Sitio Balagbag, Barangay San Lorenzo, in Norzagaray, Bulacan, on 17 October 2025.
According to the 7th Infantry Kaugnay Division, soldiers of the 73rd Division Reconnaissance Company (73DRC) led by 2nd Lt. Michael Angelo Apostol, encountered 20 Armadong Bandidong Grupo, with the two groups exchanging bullets for ten minutes.
The encounter stemmed from a combat clearing operation held at the mountainous areas of the said municipality after receiving a report from a concerned citizen regarding armed bandits extorting residents of the area.
The members of the Armadong Bandidong Grupo escaped as the military recovered an M14 rifle and a body of the CTG member. No casualties were reported on the side of the military.
The Philippine Army is continuing its Pursuit Operations to arrest the remaining CTG members.