PNP, AFP, agencies to meet on counterinsurgency

By Thea Alberto

INQ7.net

Last updated 05:24pm (Mla time) 07/06/2006



THE Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other government agencies will be meeting to coordinate their efforts to combat the communist insurgency, newly installed PNP Director General Oscar Calderon said Thursday.

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Calderon said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, at a meeting, instructed the PNP and AFP to create a joint plan to combat communist rebels.

"We are planning to have a conference with the AFP, together with the (different) government agencies, [so] we can coordinate…our common effort against insurgency," Calderon said.

Arroyo earlier declared an all-out war against the rebels and ordered one billion pesos released for a bid to deal the New People’s Army a decisive defeat within two years.

Malacañang has also characterized the intensified counterinsurgency campaign as a “complete approach” that would involve both military and legal action, and development projects to improve the economic and social conditions that breed rebellion.

During the meeting in Camp Crame, Calderon said Arroyo ordered him to “just carry on.”

Earlier, Arroyo said she wanted to give the PNP a more active role in crushing the insurgency.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno explained that the PNP's drive participation in counterinsurgency would "not be offensive" but "defensive."

"We will not be territorial. We will highlight community relations, [conduct] intensified activities linking up with local government units," he said.