Samar: The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) on Friday condemned the New People's Army (NPA) for what it called 'heinous violations' of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) following a Dec. 3 encounter in Samar that left two soldiers dead.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 8ID reported that troops were deployed after residents alerted authorities about NPA members forcibly entering private properties and using civilian homes as temporary hideouts.

Upon arriving in the upland Babaclayon village in San Jose de Buan, soldiers faced heavy gunfire, which led to a defensive response. The soldiers maneuvered to protect civilians but were treacherously targeted by the armed group, resulting in the death of two troops engaged in security operations to safeguard the community. The 8ID condemned the NPA's continued disregard for civilian safety and violations of the rules governing armed conflict.

The actions of the NPA constitute clear transgressions of IHL provisions designed to protect civilian communities, as stated by the 8ID. Pursuit operations have been initiated to track down the remaining NPA members involved in the encounter.

San Jose de Buan, a fourth-class town with a population of nearly 8,000, is recognized as one of the NPA's strongholds in Samar Island, given its strategic location within the tri-boundaries of Northern, Eastern, and Samar provinces.