Army battalion ends Eastern Visayas mission

TACLOBAN CITY — An Army battalion deployed to reinforce the campaign against remaining members of the New People’s Army in Eastern Visayas has completed its mission and returned to its mother unit in Tanay, Rizal.

The 8th Infantry Division (Stormtroopers) said the deployment of the 74th Infantry Battalion in the region was successful, citing its operational effectiveness and contribution to peace and security across Eastern Visayas.

“Throughout its deployment, the battalion consistently demonstrated professionalism, discipline, and determination while conducting sustained combat, intelligence, and civil-military operations in support of the 8ID’s peace, security, and nation-building efforts,” the division said in a statement.

Among the battalion’s notable accomplishments was the neutralization of 164 Communist-NPA Terrorists (CNTs through combined focused military operations, intelligence work, and localized peace engagements. It also seized 69 firearms, recovered 37 improvised explosive devices, and dismantled 37 enemy hideouts.

The 74th Infantry Battalion was deployed to Eastern Visayas on 17 February 2023 to reinforce the final push against remaining insurgents in Northern Samar, following its earlier operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province.

Initially, the unit operated in the Pacific towns of Mapanas, Palapag, Gamay, and Lapinig in Northern Samar, targeting the then-active Guerrilla Front Committee 15 of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

After the dismantling of the guerrilla front, the battalion was transferred to Leyte Island on 8 November 2025 to pursue remnants of Island Committee 47 operating in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran provinces.

With the successful completion of its mission, the 8th Infantry Division said the 74th Infantry Battalion will return to its mother unit under the 2nd Infantry Division to assume new assignments.

A send-off ceremony for the battalion was held on 23 December 2025.