CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A top husband-and-wife tandem of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Northern Mindanao has surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the military said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Siegfred Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Brigade, said the couple turned themselves in at Camp Osito Bahian and handed over high-powered assault rifles.

The surrenderers were identified as alias “Macong,” the finance officer of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), and his wife, alias “NC,” who served as the group’s supply officer.

Tubalado said the couple’s surrender was the result of sustained military operations in the hinterland areas of Bukidnon, which forced rebel elements to come down from their mountain hideouts.