Sorila said the troops were on patrol after receiving a tip-off from the local residents about the presence of armed men in Brgy Malasibog. The CTG members fired on the army prompting the troops to retaliate.

The fire fight lasted for five minutes resulting in the death of an NPA rebel identified as Wilson Enrolizo Yanog Jr., a resident of Sitio Tinibiangan, Brgy Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

The captured CTG members were identified as Joel Manguiran alias Baroy and Jessie Labisto.

The troops recovered one caliber 45 pistol, one 9mm pistol, nine 9mm ammunition bullets, nine cellular phones and backpacks with personal belongings and voluminous subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Philippine Army's 79IB commanding officer Lt. Col. J-jay Javines attributed the success of the operation to the support of the local populace and local government units.

He also called on the remaining CTG members to lay down their arms peacefully, live a normal lives with their families and avail the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

"Armed struggle is not the key, but a big hindrance to attaining peace and development. Let us work together to build communities that are inhospitable to enemies of the state, free from fear, manipulation and exploitation of the CTGs,” Javines added. (AAL/79th IB/Lljr/PIA6 - Negros Occidental)