A Philippine flag flaps in the breeze near Subic Bay, Philippines, April 29, 2026. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — The U.S. State Department is warning American citizens in parts of the Philippines to avoid contact with armed individuals following deadly clashes between government forces and communist rebels.
The advisory, posted Friday on social media by the U.S. Embassy in Manila, comes as about 17,000 troops from the United States, the Philippines and several other nations are participating in the annual Balikatan military exercise, which began across the archipelago on April 20 and runs through May 8.
Exercise officials did not immediately respond to questions about whether additional guidance has been issued to U.S. or other foreign troops in the country.
The advisory applies to the islands of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros and Samar, the embassy said.
The warning follows fighting on April 19 in the coastal town of Toboso in Negros Occidental province, where Philippine government forces killed 19 members of the New People’s Army, or NPA, according to local news reports.
The group is designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the Philippines.
Anyone in proximity of NPA elements is at grave risk of arrest, injury or death, according to the embassy’s post.
“Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support,” it said.
The alert urged U.S. citizens who encounter armed individuals not affiliated with police or the military to leave the area immediately.
