NO TROOPS BOOST IN ALL-OUT WAR: AFP

AFP says it will not deploy batallions of sodiers in war vs. communists Official says military operations will be focused, surgical, intelligence-driven

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will still deploy only specialized and elite units from its divisions to enforce the “all out war” against the New People’s Army (NPA), a military official said Tuesday.

AFP’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Edgardo Arevalo said they will not be activating battalions of soldiers in the “war” versus communist rebels, as their operation shall remain “focused, surgical, well-planned and intelligence-driven.”

“Hindi po ganun na large-scale na may mga kanyon. If we are to use our artillery, it has to be a designated, well-identified military target,” he said. Arevalo said the specialized units will be composed of troops from the Philippine Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force to lead the “combat, intelligence and civil military operations.”

He also said there is no significant change in the deployment of troops in areas occupied by NPA rebels.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana declared an “all out war” against the NPA after President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace talks.

AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año said the termination of the peace talks stemmed from the killing of three soldiers in Bukidnon by NPA members while the unilateral ceasefire is still in effect.

“They killed three soldiers. That was the last straw why the President withdrew the unilateral ceasefire and subsequently the peace talks,” he said.

On February 2, suspected NPA rebels waylaid the three soldiers, who were then onboard a motorcycle, along Baranggay Kibalabag in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

On the same day, the bullet-riddled bodies of the soldiers were found. The military said the soldiers obtained at least 76 gunshots wounds. However, Arevalo said there is nothing to be afraid of in the all out war as they will continue to maintain “concern” for human rights and adhere to international humanitarian laws as directed by Año.