One rebel died, nine captured in encounter

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines— A member of the New People's Army  was killed while nine of his comrades were captured during a clash with the military at sitio Mainit in Barangay Santol of Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental, Monday morning.

Lieutenant Von Ryan Gomez, head of the Civil Military Operations of the 11th Infantry Battalion, said the soldiers were conducting security operations in the area when they encountered the 20 rebels.

Gomez said that the firefight between the troops of the 11th IB's Charlie Company and the NPA forces took place around 6 a.m.

The lone fatality was identified as a certain Jerry Dorillo, a member of Sandatahang Platoon Pampropaganda 1 of CNF, KR-Negros, while the identities of the captured rebels have yet to be verified.

The military recovered eight firearms, including four shotguns with seven live ammunition; two .357-caliber magnum revolvers with 15 ammunition; a .45-caliber pistol with 18 live ammunition; and an improvised M14 rifle (single shot) with five ammunition.

Gomez said the soldiers still in pursuit of the fleeing rebels, as of yesterday.