Government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) engaged in a brief firefight in Barangay Mabo-ob, San Jorge, Samar, as reported by Jayne Galit Bantayan.

The incident involved six NPA fighters and personnel from the Regional Security Force of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

According to the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the clash occurred while military forces were conducting operations in response to reports from local residents about the group’s continued threats and extortion activities in the area.

The exchange of gunfire lasted about ten minutes, with no injuries reported on either side.

The 8th Infantry Division reiterated its call for NPA members to abandon armed struggle and emphasized the important role of communities in maintaining communication with the military, especially in areas where NPA presence persists.