The fatality was identified as Pompeo D. Landesa, 54, of Barangay Sandayao.
Landesa was allegedly involved in various murder cases and violated Republic Act (RA) No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition since 2019, according to the Army.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) clashed with at least five armed rebels around 8 a.m. while they were conducting patrol following reports on alleged extortion activities of the NPA in the area.
The firefight lasted for five minutes. No fatalities or injuries were reported on the government side.
Troops recovered from the encounter site a KG9 with a magazine, a magnum .357 loaded with three ammunition, a hand grenade, and subversive documents.
Pasaporte said soldiers encountered the group of NPA Central Negros 1, reportedly operating in Moises Padilla and Isabela in Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City.