php closing tags breaking sitemap

My Google XML Sitemap plugin wasn’t working so I deactivated all my plugins except the Google XML Sitemap and the sitemap worked. I then turned my plugins back on one at a time until I was able to isolate that this plugin was the issue. I then went SFTP into the Collapsing Archive’s php files and removed the closing php tags from 3 or 4 of the files. Once I saved these files back my sitemap worked again. If possible can you please leave these tags off in future updates? If you would like I can send you the files and here is the link to my sitemap for your reference: https://www.news.cdcr.ca.gov/sitemap.xml

Thanks,