A soldier died while another was injured in an encounter between members of the Philippine Army and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on an upland area shared by the Cities of Tanjay and Bayawan in Negros Oriental.

The clash ensued morning on February 15, 2026.

Both soldiers were taken to a hospital in Bayawan City.

As of this writing, state troops are verifying on any casualties on the side of the NPA.

No clearing operation was done yet, as sporadic gunfights prevail.

According to the 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Jason Jumauan that the militarymen engaged in combat when the armed group reportedly peppered them with bullets.

The encounter happened reportedly about four times that lasted for hours.

Jumauan said that the soldiers were in the area on inspection after receiving complaints from residents of the presence of the NPA, deemed a Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG).

No civilian was injured during the encounter, as the residential area is far from the exact site of the encounter.

Jumauan added that complaints are about recruiting the youth to join the NPA and demanding revolutionary taxes from residents.

(via Vic Camion, Albert Aballe/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)