DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro will be leaving his department with task left undone, ending insurgency in the country by the time President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo steps down from office.

Teodoro told Baguio-based reporters during his visit for the 111th foundation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) mobilization of troops to counter insurgency in hotbeds of rebellion in the country has not been actively pursued.

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"Our internal security targets could not be met," the secretary said.

After the onslaught of devastation of various provinces in the country, the secretary explained defense units concentrated on rescue and disaster management operations.

The President, during a 2007 peace and order assembly in Bangued, Abra, announced her plans of stepping-up government's anti-insurgency campaign through her "soft" and "hard" approach.

Her target then is that at the end of her term, insurgency would have ended.

The soft approach include extending amnesty and livelihood assistance to rebel returnees while the hard approach involve educating the community about the agenda of communist rebels as well as engaging in operations to battle insurgents.

The provinces of Abra, Kalinga and Mt. Province are among areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region where cases of insurgency is said to be high.

Data from the website of the Office of the President showed 225 NPA rebels surrendered during the second half of 2008.

Ninety-nine of the returnees came from Mindanao, 68 from Luzon and 58 from the Visayas.

Each of the 225 rebel returnees were given P20,000 as cash assistance upon their surrender for a total of P4.5 million.

A total of P18.813 million has been given by government as livelihood assistance to the rebel returnees.

The livelihood assistance and cash grants to rebel returnees are part of the Social Integration Program (SIP) implemented by government to reintegrate former rebels into society.

On developments regarding the kidnapping of Irish priest Michael Sinnot, the secretary called on the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to refrain from threatening government.

Teodoro made the statement following reactions from the leadership of the MNLF who denied involvement in the priest's abduction.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno earlier accused the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as being behind the kidnapping.

He has in fact turned down an offer by the group to stand as negotiator with the kidnappers.

"The MNLF is not denying. They are threatening. What the people want is transparency," the secretary said adding the group should admit the MILF participated in the abduction.

"Ang malinaw dito na-ngidnap sila ng paring may sakit. Government cannot sit idly by," the secretary said explaining government effort to rescue Fr. Sinnot is ongoing.

He said the MNLF or the MILF should not hide behind threats.

Teodoro meanwhile said the incident will not affect peace talks with the MNLF.

"This should not have an impact on peace talks. It (kidnapping) has nothing to do with Bangsamoro ideals." (Rimaliza Opiña)