CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines -- The military has announced the deployment of additional troops to Bukidnon province and the Caraga region, saying it was stepping up operations against the New People's Army (NPA).
Major General Jose Barbieto, chief of the 4th Infantry Division, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) that the redeployment of forces is part of the military's internal security campaign.
"Our priority now is to deter the liquidation of innocent civilians," he said.
Barbieto said that since January, NPA fighters have already executed 39 people-- including tribal leaders and civilians -- in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.
Northern Mindanao is composed of the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte; Caraga is made up of the two Agusan provinces, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
Barbieto said the deployment of additional forces would also deter other abuses committed by the communists.
-from Inquirer.Net
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