An alleged communist terrorist group (CTG) leader was reported killed while an M16 rifle was recovered following an armed encounter in Barangay Caridad, Baybay City, Leyte on Tuesday, September 8, according to the 802nd Infantry "Peerless" Brigade of the Philippine Army.
The Army identified the CTG leader as Erwin Murillo Maceda, alias “Romnick,” from Las Navas, Northern Samar.
In a press release dated September 9, the Army said troops proceeded to Barangay Caridad after receiving a report from a concerned individual about the alleged presence of CTG members in the area. An armed encounter subsequently ensued, according to the military.
The incident occurred more than a year after Baybay City was declared to have attained a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason M. Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry "Peerless" Brigade, reiterated the Army’s call for a safer Baybay City.
“We will not allow anyone to undermine the peace gains that the people of Baybay City have worked hard to achieve.”
Barangay Caridad, where the encounter took place, is approximately 13 kilometers from the Visayas State University (VSU) Main Campus.
In an interview with Amaranth, the VSU Security Security Manager Edgar Octaviano said security measures had already been strengthened prior to the incident through Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 203, dated July 16, 2026.
“It’s already strengthened [VSU security], hindi pa ’yan [Caridad encounter] nangyayari, but because of that incident, we are just monitoring and trying to gather more information; to learn from the report of the Army for now,” the Security Office said.
As of writing, the VSU Security Office is still awaiting the full report from authorities to verify the extent and circumstances of the encounter.