Suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels killed 2 civilian military volunteers in an ambush in Calbayog City, Samar province on Monday.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Armand Rico identified the fatalities as Cafgu members Renato Bagarenio and Restituto Aniban.

Rico said members of the 52nd Cafgu Battalion were conducting a "community assistance activity" in Barangay Bayo, Oquendo when ambushed by an undetermined number of rebels around 4:20 a.m.

He said the Cafgu members died during the shootout. A team leader identified as Sgt. Jaime Bayquin was wounded.

Rico said the Cafgu members were able to push back the rebels during the shootout.

He said the rebels suffered an undetermined number of casualties. With a report from Noel Alamar, radio dzMM