CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the 8th Infantry "Stormtroopers" Division, dealt a double decisive blow to the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in two consecutive armed engagements in Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on July 31, 2025.
The operations resulted in the death of eight Communist-New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) and the recovery of eight high-powered firearms, marking a significant setback for the regional communist leadership in Eastern Visayas.
According to Major General Adonis Ariel G Orio, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and the 8th Infantry Division, the success of the operation was made possible by the active cooperation of local residents, particularly those from formerly conflict-affected communities.
“We have repeatedly called on them to return to their families, but this group continues to cling to their twisted ideology that has claimed the lives of countless Filipinos," said Major General Orio. "We therefore reaffirm our call to the remaining members of the CTGs: this may be your best chance to lay down your arms, abandon the armed struggle, and return to the fold of the law. We will not stop until Eastern Visayas is free from your acts of terror. We will hit you hard.”
The AFP continues to intensify its focused military operations in Northern Samar while expanding localized peace engagement and community development efforts to ensure long-term peace and security in the region.
