2 rebels killed in Samar clash as Army tightens operations

Another blow hit the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as two of its members were killed in a seven-minute firefight with government troops in the hinterlands of Barangay Caulayanan, Motiong, Samar on April 24, 2026, the Philippine Army reported Saturday.

Troops of the 46th Infantry Battalion, under the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division of the Philippine Army, engaged remnants of the Yakal Platoon under the Sub-Regional Committee Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

After the encounter, government troops recovered an M14 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, and the bodies of two unidentified CTG members who were abandoned by their fleeing comrades.

The 8th Infantry Division said the clash marked another setback for the already weakened CTG operating in Eastern Visayas.

“The neutralization of these armed individuals and the recovery of their firearms further degrade the operational capability of the CTG in Samar. This reflects the sustained pressure being applied by our troops on the ground,” the division said in a statement.

It added that the series of encounters indicates the CTG’s diminishing strength, with members forced into short, sporadic clashes while struggling to maintain cohesion.

“Despite their attempts to evade government forces, our troops remain relentless in pursuing these armed groups. Their abandonment of their fallen comrades once again exposes their disregard for human life within their ranks,” it said.

The 8th Infantry Division reiterated its call for remaining CTG members to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides assistance and opportunities for former rebels to return to peaceful and productive lives.

“We urge the remaining members of the CTG to lay down their arms and reunite with their families. The government is ready to support their reintegration into society,” it added.

Meanwhile, focused military operations continue in the area to track down the fleeing CTG members and prevent further threats to community peace and security.