Military-NPA Encounter Forces Gandara Communities Into Lockdown, Halting Farming Activities

GANDARA, SAMAR — What started as a typical weekend filled with farm chores and the usual calm in Gandara quickly turned into a nightmare for many farming families. Intense clashes between the military and the New People’s Army forced entire barangays into lockdown, leaving residents scrambling to evacuate.

The usually tranquil upland communities of Barangay Hiparayan, San Miguel, Marcos, and Gereganan found themselves caught in the crossfire that erupted on Saturday, with sporadic gunfire continuing until late Sunday, November 23, 2025. For local farmers who rely on daily access to their fields, this conflict didn’t just shatter the peace; it jeopardized their livelihoods and sense of safety.

Fields Left Untended, Livelihoods on Hold

In these upland areas, farming is more than just a job—it’s a matter of survival. With authorities enforcing an immediate lockdown for civilian safety, around 80 families, primarily farmers, found themselves trapped in their homes, unable to tend to their crops.

Harvest-ready rice paddies, vegetable gardens, and coconut farms were left unattended, with farmers unable to return soon.

“The trauma is palpable, especially in Barangay Hiparayan,” Mayor Warren Aguilar told Vanguard News in an interview this morning, highlighting how the sudden violence disrupted a way of life that had long been characterized by peace and routine. “Gandara has always been a safe haven. Our people weren’t prepared for this.”

Evacuation Under Fear and Uncertainty

While some families managed to evacuate before the lockdown tightened, many others—particularly those living far from main roads—were forced to remain indoors with limited food and no clear idea of when it would be safe to venture out.

Residents reported hearing gunfire sporadically throughout Saturday. Some were spotted fleeing their homes, clutching their children and small bags of belongings as they searched for safer ground.

Amid the chaos, authorities reassured the public that no civilians were harmed, which was a relief to many.

In light of the escalating crisis, Mayor Aguilar acted swiftly, collaborating with the Philippine Army, local police, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“I quickly reached out to our officials,” the Mayor recounted, highlighting the urgency to ensure that supplies reached families trapped in the affected areas.

Even with lockdown measures in place, the local government rallied barangay officials to gather and distribute over 200 food packs to residents in isolated barangays. The Mayor personally contacted the DSWD regional director to secure immediate assistance.

“It’s a lockdown. Even if they can’t evacuate, we made sure the food got to the barangay residents,” Aguilar stated, stressing that the focus was particularly on Marcos, Gereganan, and San Miguel—areas that were sealed off during the operations.

For many farming families who depend on daily earnings from their crops, this aid was a vital lifeline.

As of the latest update, the affected areas remain under partial lockdown, with the military still monitoring the perimeter. Soldiers have started to withdraw from some sitios, allowing a few families to tentatively return home.

However, while the gunfire has ceased, a sense of fear still lingers over the farming communities. Many residents are left wondering when they can safely return to their fields—or if the conflict might flare up again.

For now, what keeps them going is the collective response from Gandara’s community, local officials, and barangay leaders who ensured that even amidst trauma and lockdown, no family was left without food, support, or protection.

As Gandara gradually finds its balance again, its farmers—who have always relied on the land—are left yearning for the return of the peace that once filled their days and supported their livelihoods.

Photo courtesy: LGU Gandara