BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army reported Wednesday that a New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla killed in an encounter with soldiers in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on Monday was a native of Bacolod City and the intelligence officer of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s Komiteng Rehiyonal (regional committee)-Negros.

Lieutenant Colonel Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion, said Leofrie Vallejera, alias Ka Jared and Bokyo, was also a member of the security force in central Negros of priest turned rebel leader Frank Fernandez.

He said Monico Butas, alias Ka Diyot, one of two rebels captured, also used to be the finance officer of the CPP on Negros.

An M16 assault rifle and ammunition bandoleer was recovered from Vallejera, 30.

Captain Mark Andrew Posadas, Western Visayas military spokesman, said four backpacks containing two .45 caliber pistols, two hand grenades, assorted medicines, personal belongings and letters, were also recovered from the captured rebels and from the encounter site.

Troops of the 11th IB’s Bravo Company, led by 1st Lieutenant Danilo Mutoc clashed with 10 rebels in Sitio Moog, Barangay Planas, Guihulngan early Monday morning.

Vallejera died on the spot while Butas and John Ray Cuevas, alias Ka Ivan, 19, of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, were captured.

Gacal said Cuevas admitted participating in the NPA raid on the La Libertad, Negros Oriental, police station last year.

Posadas said the presence of Fernandez’ security personnel has led the military to believe the rebel leader was in the area of the encounter.

Charges of rebellion and illegal possession of firearms are being readied by police against the captured rebels.