Members of the communist New People鈥檚 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.
鈥淲e 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 鈥榯o,鈥� 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鈥檚 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聽declared聽martial聽law聽in the entire Mindanao last May 23 when the Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City.聽The 60-day promulgation ended last聽July 22聽but was later extended by Congress聽until Dec. 31聽this year.
Early this month, the President signed a proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People鈥檚 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 鈥渋ntensified鈥� actions of the military in Mindanao include more patrols and checkpoints, most especially in populated areas.
鈥淪iguro (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,鈥� Guerrero said.
鈥淎ng habol natin dito is to establish yung visibility at saka presence in populated centers to deter terrorist actions,鈥� he added. /jpv
(We are up to establishing visibility and presence in populated centers to deter terrorist actions.)