The Philippine Army has turned over the remains of a female rebel killed in Occidental Mindoro to her family after using a military helicopter to transport her body from the rugged encounter site, officials said Wednesday.

The woman, a suspected member of the New People’s Army, was found dead 2 January during clearing operations in Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog. The discovery followed a guided close air support operation against the insurgent group the previous day, according to the Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division.

Military officials said the woman’s companions fled the site, leaving her body behind. Because of the difficult terrain, the Armed Forces of the Philippines used a helicopter to airlift the remains from Occidental Mindoro to Batangas to facilitate the turnover to her relatives.

Col. Michael Aquino, spokesperson for the 2nd Infantry Division, said the process was completed with the cooperation of the family, who has requested privacy.

“They have requested privacy until their loved one is laid to rest, and we fully respect that request,” Aquino said.

The 2nd Infantry Division stated that security operations are continuing in Occidental Mindoro to secure remote areas affected by the long-running communist insurgency.