The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command is doubling its efforts to dismantle the remaining New People's Army guerilla fronts in Visayas, in line with the hope of President Arroyo to crush the insurgency in 2010.

CenCom chief Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado who was the guest of honor and speaker at the founding anniversary of the 11 th Infantry Battalion in La Carlota City on Monday, stressed discipline among soldiers, which he said is among the major factors in winning the war against the New People's Army.

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, however, quoted a classified report of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans as saying “If the military continues its operations at the current rate, it is project that the communist insurgency will be defeated by 2018, eight years away from target”.

Ocampo claimed that the implementation of the National Internal Security Plan through Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2 has resulted in the summary execution of 890 victims,citing figures of Karapatan, since 2001 to the present.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo, assistant commander of the 3 rd Infantry Division, said that despite success in the anti-insurgency campaign in Western and Central Visayas , they have to double their efforts in the dismantling of the remaining guerilla fronts.

Samar and Negros have been identified by the military among the priority areas for clearing of insurgents in the Visayas.*GPB

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