Two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and one of its members were killed in an encounter in Ilagan City, Isabela over the weekend, the military reported on Monday. The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) encountered NPA units of the Central Front and Regional Sentro De-Grabidad ng Komiteng Rehiyong-Cagayan Valley on Sunday after receiving tips the rebels have been asking money from the residents of Barangay Rang-ayan in Ilagan City.

Maj. Ericson Bulosan, spokesman of the military’s Northern Luzon Command, said troops of the 5th ID first urged the rebels to surrender. But the rebels responded by firing their guns.