A community tip about heavily armed rebels allegedly moving to extort local farming villages set off a military operation that left two suspected New People's Army members dead in the hinterlands of Barangay Jicontol, Dolores, Eastern Samar, on October 28, 2026.
The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) disclosed the encounter in a press release dated October 30, saying its troops recovered two unidentified bodies and seized two high-powered firearms. The 8ID reported that no soldiers were wounded or killed in the engagement.
Community Report Triggered the Deployment
The 8ID said in its press release that local residents alerted the military to the presence of heavily armed rebels in the barangay's interior. The division said the rebels were allegedly preparing to collect extortion money from farming communities in the vicinity.
Following the tip, troops of the Army's 52nd Infantry Battalion moved into the hinterland area to confront the reported rebel group, Inquirer Visayas reported on October 29, citing the battalion as its source.
Landmines Around Rebel Camp Led to Airstrikes and Artillery
According to the 8ID, soldiers advancing on the rebel encampment came upon a defensive perimeter that had been "rigged with numerous anti-personnel landmines" — devices prohibited under international humanitarian law.
The division said the command then authorized close air support to neutralize the mines from a safe distance and open a route for ground troops. Artillery fire was also directed at the encampment's interior to suppress what the 8ID described as fortified bunkers and to counter incoming fire from the rebels.
The unnamed 8th Infantry Division commander was quoted in the October 30 press release as saying: "The calculated employment of our air and artillery assets was a necessary and decisive tactical response. We utilized our superior fire capabilities strictly to breach those explosive traps, soften their fortified positions, and protect our personnel from becoming casualties."
Lt. Col. Sandy Sereño, commanding officer of the 52nd Infantry Battalion, said the supporting fire was meant to break through rebel defenses while keeping risk to troops and civilians as low as possible, according to Inquirer Visayas.
Military Account Unconfirmed; Rebels Issue No Statement
The 8ID's version of events has not been independently verified. As of October 30, neither the New People's Army nor the Communist Party of the Philippines had released any public comment on the clash, according to available reports at press time.
Dialogue Held With Nearby Residents
The 8ID said it is working with local government units and its Civil-Military Operations teams to uphold public safety around the area of operations. Inquirer Visayas reported that the 52nd Infantry Battalion's Civil-Military Operations team held a dialogue with community residents to walk them through the operation and hear their concerns.
Pursuit Operations Active; Surrender Appeal Renewed
The 8ID said pursuit operations targeting remaining rebels in the area remain ongoing. The division also reiterated its appeal for NPA members to lay down their arms and avail themselves of the government's reintegration programs for former rebels.
Barangay Jicontol's History of Armed Encounters
Barangay Jicontol is one of 46 barangays within the municipality of Dolores and recorded a population of 1,391 in the 2020 census. The municipality has a long record of armed clashes; in August 2021, a 13-hour military offensive — which likewise involved an airstrike — killed at least 18 suspected NPA members in the adjacent Barangay Osmeña, also within Dolores.
Source: Inquirer Visayas / Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division