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.