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Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Military focuses on communist rebels
DUE to the high prospect of the resumption of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Armed Forces the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Army, began shifting its forces here in Mindanao.
Major Gen. Cristolito Balaoing, commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said they began shifting their forces from the MILF hotspot areas to the infiltrated areas of the New People's Army (NPA).
Balaoing identified the NPA hotspots as the Caraga region, Surigao Norte, Agusan Norte and Compostela Valley.
He said because of this, he has divided the operational areas into three previously partitioned into two.
"Whereas before there are only two brigades in Southern Mindanao, now there are going to be three brigades addressing the threats," Balaoing said.
He said a brigade coming from Lanao would now be assigned to the Upper Caraga area (Surigao and Agusan Norte). Meanwhile, the 402nd Brigade based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur meanwhile will be deployed to Compostela Valley.
The 701st Brigade will be concentrating on more advanced communist fronts, Balaoing said. He said that sending some members of the 402nd Brigade to Compostela Valley does not mean more troops are sent to the gold rush mountain of Diwalwal in Monkayo.
However, he admitted that Diwalwal has long been identified as a "resource base" of the NPA. BOT
(August 6, 2003 issue)
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