At least 17 of the 87 guerrilla fronts of the left-wing New People's Army (NPA) will be dismantled before the month ends, the Philippine military said on Sunday.
"We think they (NPA) will be reduced by about 15 to 17 guerrilla fronts by first quarter as programmed," Philippine TV network GMA News reported, citing Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.
Esperon set the target in January shortly before his term was given a three-month extension by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. After the extension, the general will retire in May this year.
The fight against the left-wing rebels was one of the reasons President Arroyo cited in her decision to extend Esperon's term.
"It appears that we can really achieve that (goal). We are on track," Esperon said.
President Arroyo has directed the military and the police establishments to end the insurgency problem 2010, when her term ends.
The military claims that as of last December, the NPA had less than 6,000 fighters nationwide.
Source:Xinhua
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