Nine alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with state troopers in Uson town, Province of Masbate.

According to Major German Franco Roldan, Division Public Affairs Office chief of the 2nd Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army, in an interview with GMA-7’s 24 Oras on July 28, 2025, the encounter in Barangay San Mateo lasted for around 30 minutes on July 27, 2025 at around 6 a.m.

“Nagtagal ng 30 minutes yung firefight, usually nagtatagal lang ang encounter namin ng five to 10 minutes,” Roldan said, citing strong resistance from the alleged NPA members. 

Seven assault rifles and two grenade launchers were among weapons recovered by personnel of the 9th Infantry Division, the report said. 

“Intense yung firefight dahil may resistance, kasi pinipilit nilang i-recover yung kasamahan nila,” Roldan added.

The nine who perished in the encounter are among 15 persons earlier tracked down by the authorities. 

No residents were reported hurt in the encounter, but they had to be evacuated to a school for safety.