The Hindu : Arroyo orders crackdown

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 28, 2003

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International - Globescan

Arroyo orders crackdown

MANILA: The President ordered the military to crack down ``swiftly and forcibly'' on communist rebels on Friday, a day after guerrillas allegedly killed 17 people in a remote army camp in central Philippines. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said it was unfortunate the communist New People's Army guerrillas exploited ``a weak spot'' in the government's defence. ``We have the duty to protect our own far-flung military and police outposts with forward intelligence coverage,'' Ms. Arroyo said. ``Meanwhile, I have also directed that these fresh waves of attacks be dealt with swiftly and forcibly.'' Considered the biggest attack in more than a decade, about 200 guerrilla fighters raided the army camp on Samar island Thursday, killing 11 government militiamen, five soldiers and the wife of a soldier, said Lt. Col. Ruby Bongabong, spokeswoman for the army's Central Command. Two other soldiers were reported wounded in the two-hour fire-fight, after which the rebels withdrew on boats. ``Our troops were overwhelmed,'' Lt. Col. Bongabong said. — AP

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