TACLOBAN CITY — A member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a late afternoon clash with government troops in Barangay Cabalagnan, Hinabangan, Samar, on Wednesday, 25 February.

Capt. Christopher Tataro, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division, said the clash occurred when troops from the 63rd Infantry “INNOVATOR” Battalion launched a strike operation following information from community members about the presence of armed individuals in a forested area of the barangay.

Tataro said the body of the communist guerrilla was recovered after a five-minute exchange of fire. Troops also seized an M16 rifle, a bandolier, and subversive documents.

He added that the fatality was identified as a member of the remnant unit of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee Sesame under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, which operates in the central mountains of Samar.

Tataro declined to disclose further details on the identity of the casualty pending proper notification of the next of kin.

He said the military is conducting focused operations to pursue other members of the guerrilla unit who fled during the clash to ensure the safety and security of residents in the area.

Tataro also urged remaining NPA combatants to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s ongoing amnesty program so they can receive assistance, particularly those with pending court cases related to their involvement in the communist movement.

He added that even those without pending cases may avail themselves of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).