MANILA, Philippines - Two Army engineers were killed after suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels attacked their team in Calbiga, Samar province on Thursday morning.

Lt. Col. Armand Rico, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division, identified the slain troopers as Private First Class Gilbert Dabuet and Private Fred Baluyot.

Rico said at least 10 fully armed NPA rebels attacked the engineering team while constructing school buildings in Barangay Binanggaran around 9:50 a.m..

The Army have sent more troops to pursue the rebels. School building constructions, meanwhile, will continue in the area despite the attack, assured military officials. With a report from Noel Alamar, radio dzMM