AFP deploys more troops in E. Mindanao to fight communist rebels

Members of the communist New People’s Army. INQUIRER file photo

Despite the threat on the ongoing recruitment of local Islamic State groups, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has added more troops in Eastern Mindanao to address communist insurgency.

“We will have to realign yung forces natin accordingly for us to be able to attend other security concerns in other areas as well. Right now makita natin ang surge ng atrocities in Eastern Mindanao part, and we have started to put more our forces there for us to address yung problem na ‘to,” AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said in a press briefing Friday at Camp Aguinaldo.

The AFP chief said they continue to monitor other areas like Sulu, Basilan, and Central Mindanao.

Congress on Wednesday approved President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao for the whole year of 2018, citing the need to wipe out terrorism.

READ: Senate, House allow 1-year martial law extension in Mindanao

Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao last May 23 when the Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City. The 60-day promulgation ended last July 22 but was later extended by Congress until Dec. 31 this year.

Early this month, the President signed a proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army as a terror organization after he terminated talks with the latter amid continued attacks on government security forces.

READ: Duterte declares CPP, NPA as terrorist organizations

The AFP chief said the “intensified” actions of the military in Mindanao include more patrols and checkpoints, most especially in populated areas.

“Siguro (maybe) less skirmishes in Marawi dahil nag-wind down na tayo doon (but we were able to wind down there) but on other parts, particularly dun sa NPA affected areas they can expect more of the actions taken by the military,” Guerrero said.

“Ang habol natin dito is to establish yung visibility at saka presence in populated centers to deter terrorist actions,” he added. /jpv

(We are up to establishing visibility and presence in populated centers to deter terrorist actions.)