RP condemns rise is rebel attacks

RP condemns rise is rebel attacks

MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government expressed concern yesterday over a wave of Communist guerrilla attacks which have left 15 people dead in the past four weeks as it prepared to restart peace talks.

Government and rebel negotiators are likely to resume peace talks on Dec. 4, and the raids, ambushes and kidnappings being launched by the New People's Army would have to be first on the agenda, Executive Secretary Ruben Torres said.

"We're worried because there somehow (is) a deliberate increase in the number of hostile attacks being done by the NPA against our police and military forces," he said.

The increased guerrilla activity is "deplorable due to the loss of lives," said government negotiator Jose Yap, a member of the House of Representatives.