TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 18 -- The deaths of a squad leader and two other members of the New People's Army (NPA) in a clash with government troops in Barangay Pange, Jaro, Leyte, on Monday mark a major setback for the insurgent group's operations on Leyte Island.

Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the Philippine Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview on Tuesday that the NPA's Island Committee Levox has been significantly weakened following the encounter. With the loss of three fighters from Squad 2, the unit now has only three members left, while Squad 1 retains 12.

According to Almagro, Squad 2 operates in the mountainous areas of central Leyte, while Squad 1 members have been moving within the boundaries of Le...