Philippine military chief says communists no security threat

18/05/2008 18:42:53

The newly appointed Philippine military chief says the government's renewed campaign against communist rebels may not be able to wipe out the long running insurgency by 2010.

This was a deadline set by President Gloria Arroyo for the Philippine Armed Forces, as Shirley Escalante reports from Manila.

"Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano says security forces shall have reduced the communist insurgency to ineffectiveness by 2010. But he says the projected victory will not be total and there will be remnants of the rebellion. Still, the military chief says the remnants would not be good enough to affect the government, and will be more a matter of concern for law enforcement agencies rather than a security threat. A recent statement from the rebels however, claimed a series of victories in the field and significant increases in areas of revolutionary work. Two separate clashes Friday killed two police officers and injured 13 security forces in the south. Meantime, palace officials say technical advisers are currently studying government response to 13 impediments raised by the communists to re-starting the stalled peace talks."

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network