Butuan city: Twin encounters Monday morning in the hinterlands of Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, resulted in the death of an unidentified New People's Army (NPA) rebel and the recovery of two high-powered firearms.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) stated that troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, were dispatched early Monday in response to civilian reports of NPA insurgents in the area.

The first armed confrontation occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. and lasted over two minutes before the rebels abandoned their position. The second encounter happened around 7:30 a.m. during the pursuit operation, lasting more than five minutes and resulted in the death of an NPA member and the recovery of one M16 rifle and an R4 rifle.

'The civilian reports indicated that the rebels were conducting extortion and recruitment activities in the area,' said 291B commander Lt. Col. Mark Tabon. He also recognized the timely and accurate information provided by the residents and lauded their steadfast support for the government's peace and security efforts, particularly in ending the local communist armed conflict.

Meanwhile, the 4ID also reported Tuesday the surrender of five NPA rebels in Surigao del Sur on July 4 and 6. Tabon said the surrenderers include a team leader, a squad leader, a medic, and two Milisya ng Bayan members operating in the San Miguel town areas. They also handed over seven high-powered firearms to the government -- five AK-47 rifles, one M14 rifle, and an RPK light machine gun.

'This latest success highlights our relentless pursuit of peace and security in Caraga. Every neutralized enemy and captured firearm diminishes the NPA's capacity to conduct armed violence,' Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., 4ID commander, said in a separate statement.