Military expects bloodier NPA attack (Philippines)

This is because the New People's Army has brought in four landmines from Panay to Negros for use against us, Brig. Gen, Jerry Jalandoni, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday. The use of landmines in their attacks against government forces, especially in the ambush-slay of nine soldiers and injury of 20 others in November last year, was justified by CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal.

According to the military, the use of landmines by the CPP-NPA violated the Geneva convention on war.
Jalandoni said they are expecting anytime for the NPA to hit what he calls "soft targets" such as undermanned police stations and outposts in upland areas with perceived lax security.

The police stations of Calatrava, Toboso, La Castellana, Isabela and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental have already been alerted to strengthen their defenses, following intelligence reports that they are targets of rebel attacks.

In less than four months, the police lost 97 firearms to the communist rebels, who had raided several police stations across the country.

Jalandoni said the request for additional troops to be deployed in Negros has yet to be acted on by Army chief Hermogenes Esperon.

Ten suspected rebels were killed recently during a foiled attack of a detachment in Brgy. Villegas, Guihulngan, Oriental Negros, military records show.

The military classified the upland areas of Guihulngan, Oriental Negros, as the "center of gravity" of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros chaired by priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez.
During the weekend, PNP chief Arturo Lomibao announced that they will implement a new strategy in the fight against the CPP-NPA.

Lomibao said the counter-insurgency campaign will soon be a shared responsibility of the police and military. At present, the police is only supporting the Philippine Army in addressing threats posed by insurgents, he added.