San miguel: Two New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, a news release on Saturday from the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) identified the slain rebels as alias "Madi/Luis," the finance officer of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), and alias "Plender/Morning." Another NPA member, identified as alias "Junjun," a member of the Regional Operations Command of NEMRC, surrendered following the encounter.

The 30IB reported that Madi/Luis had previously been captured on October 15, 2006, after an encounter in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. She was charged with rebellion and sentenced to 12 to 14 years of imprisonment. After completing her sentence, she returned to the underground and assumed the role of finance officer of NEMRC, which is led by her husband, alias 'Bong Waco.'

On Wednesday, a separate encounter occurred in Sitio Bulacan, Barangay Bolhoon in the same town, resulting in the death of another NPA rebel and the recovery of five firearms. Lt. Col. Rey Vergel Annogui, the commander of the 30IB, assured that military operations will continue. He also encouraged remnants of NEMRC to surrender and participate in government programs and services.