Mati City, Davao Oriental – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) identified as @LALAI was killed following an armed encounter between government forces and communist rebels at the hinterland boundary of Boston, Davao Oriental, and Lingig, Surigao del Sur on April 27, 2025.
Troops of the 67th Infantry (Agila) Battalion, under the 701st Infantry (Kagitingan) Brigade and operating under the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, engaged an undetermined number of remnants from the Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) JAGUAR of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) at around 11:30 a.m. in Sitio Manawi, Barangay Caatihan, Boston.
The encounter was prompted by reports from concerned citizens who spotted armed individuals stealing root crops from locals — a sign, according to military sources, of the rebels’ desperation and dwindling resources. Responding to the tip-off, the soldiers moved in to verify the situation, leading to a firefight after the NPA members opened fire on the troops.
Major General Allan Hambala, Commander of the 10th Infantry Division, praised the vigilance of the residents and the swift response of the 67IB, emphasizing that community cooperation is crucial in preventing the resurgence of insurgent groups in the region.
“Through the vigilance and quick response of our residents in reporting any untoward activities, we make it harder for insurgent groups to regain ground inside our area of operation. I encourage all Agila Troopers to continue strengthening our partnership with the local government units and the communities we serve,” said Maj. Gen. Hambala.
The 701st Brigade has been intensifying its combat operations to prevent any attempt by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to re-establish influence in Davao Oriental, especially with the upcoming National and Local Elections approaching.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Unit’s Task Force ELCAC urged remaining NPA members to abandon armed struggle and reintegrate into society through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which offers assistance to those seeking a new start with their families.