Following the resurgence of communist and Moro militant activities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seeking additional personnel to bolster its ranks to better cope with threats against the state.

Brig Gen Edilberto Adan, AFP spokesperson, admitted that they are currently reviewing the organisational strategy of the armed forces in order to meet the challenge posed by armed groups.

"We need additional troops because of the resurgence in activities of the communist New People's Army (NPA) and the extremist problems on the southern main island of Mindanao," Brig General Adan said during a briefing to reporters.

The current lean condition of the armed forces was a result of the streamlining of the military with the passage of the AFP Modernisation Law in 1995.

Prior to the passage of that edict, the internal security operations – such as counter-insurgency – was passed on to the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the idea of the AFP focusing its doctrine and resources on handling external threats.

But in 1998, the legislature passed the PNP Reform Act which, along with other provisions, called for the return of the internal security operations to the military.

"We are reviewing the organisational strategy of the Armed Forces considering the new threat situation, international terrorism, the NPAs as well as Misuari's renegade group," Brig General Adan noted.

"In light of these security developments, the AFP is looking at what should be its organisational strategy because the assumption then was that the military would concentrate on external threats, but it seems we are also in charge of internal threats," he added.

At present, the strength of the Armed Forces stands at 113,000, with more than half of this with the army, while the rest is with the air force and navy.