After the May 14 elections, the military is now bracing for heightened tactical offensives of the New People's Army in Negros.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said his troops are continuously moving to thwart any terroristic activities of the New People's Army. Priest-turned-rebel Frank Fenandez had earlier called on the New People's Army to heighten the guerilla warfare in Negros, claiming that armed revolution is the answer to the worsening crisis in the country.

Records show that government soldiers had clashed with group of insurgents in Moises Padilla and Escalante, and a group of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade in Ilog, Negros Occidental.

The Communist Party of the Philippines claimed in a statement that the NPA seized seven M-16 rifles, an M-14 assault rifle and a .45 caliber pistol from soldiers and two RPA-ABB members in Negros from May 3 to 16.

CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal said, "There is an urgent need to further step up the revolutionary armed struggle."

Lt. Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, Task Force North commander, said pursuit operations against the rebels who ambushed members of the Army's 33rd Reconnaisance Company in Brgy. Libertad, Escalante, are still ongoing.

The police is now preparing murder charges against Fernandez and 40 others for the ambush-slay of two soldiers, in Escalante City.*GPB

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