An armed encounter between the Philippine Army and members of a communist terrorist group (CTG) that left one dead at Sitio Balagbag, Barangay San Lorenzo, in Norzagaray has raised questions on the "state of stable internal peace and security" in Bulacan.
The encounter, which happened 17 October, confirms that small groups of communist and other rebel factions continue to operate in the province.
According to the 7th Infantry Kaugnay Division, soldiers of the 73rd Division Reconnaissance Company (73DRC) led by 2nd Lieutenant 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 encounter resulted in the death of one rebel and the seizure of an M14 rifle.
Just recently, a New People's Army (NPA) member surrendered to authorities in the province on 09 July 2025. Another report stated that an ambush in Bulacan has left two dead and one wounded on 21 March 2025.
While on 19 January 2025, the PNP announced that several members and supporters of the NPA in Central Luzon, including some from Bulacan, surrendered through the government's reintegration program.
While there are no reports of active major rebel groups operating in Metro Manila, there are recent reports of encounters with the NPA in nearby provinces like Bulacan, which is close to the capital region.
Military operations are intensified in other parts of the country, and the government continues to conduct operations and offer incentives for former rebels to surrender.
The AFP assures that it has not let down on its intensified operations against remaining rebel units across the country.
Some of the means to deescalate the current insurgency problem is the surrender program of the government, which offers a Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) that provides financial assistance, livelihood support, and other aid to former rebels who surrender.
Authorities are also coordinating with former rebels, working to identify and dismantle rebel networks through ongoing operations and by gathering intelligence from former rebels.