On 15 March 2023, Red fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) launched two rifle grenades at the newly installed 62nd Infantry Battalion detachment in Barangay Malangsa, Callehermoso, Negros Oriental.
According to NPA-Negros Oriental, the attack was in response to complaints of residents that the said detachment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been harassing the community and forcing residents to surrender as members of the NPA.
Meanwhile, the same group of NPA fighters harassed the 62nd Infantry Battalion last 6 March in Canlaon City, Central Negros.
In Camarines Sur, twin harassment operations were mounted by the NPA-West Camarines Sur on 28 February 2023 against two military detachments in Ragay town. NPA squadrons first attacked the detachment in Barangay Bayan followed by attacks against another detachment in Barangay Pantalunan.
On 15 March 2023, forces from the NPA-Mindoro actively defended communities in a firefight against AFP troops in Sitio Naksib, Barangay Sta Cruz, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. No casualties were reported among the NPA.
On 7 October last year, members of the NPA successfully seized firearms from the the 52nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Dorillo, Jipapad, Eastern Samar. According to the NPA, state troopers were drunk and sleeping when the NPA attacked and confiscated 14 firearms, nine of which were high powered rifles.
According to reports, residents of the community fully supported the tactical offensive of the NPA. Prior to the incident, community members complained about the presence of combined forces of soldiers and police under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) – a new ‘counter-insurgency’ program launched by the State. According to residents, state troops occupied the barangay hall and often fired indiscriminately at the civilian population, prompting the NPA to take action.