Aquino considers twin approach to combat leftist insurgency

Manila: President Benigno S. Aquino III has two opposing approaches to solve the 40-year old communist insurgency, the continuation of an 18-year-old peace talks and the modernisation of the armed forces, analysts and sources said.

In a meeting with newly appointed military chief Lieutenant General Ricardo David Jr on Monday, Aquino was advised about the need to modernise the military and the police service, sources said.

The Philippines has the weakest military among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The projected 320 million peso (Dh26.2 million) budget deficit in 2011 will prevent the government from spending more on war materials.

Earlier, the armed forces chief said the military would try to end the communist insurgency in three years, by 2013.

"There will be a new strategy to defeat the CPP-NPA [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army]," said military spokesperson Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr.

The solution to the insurgency problem will need a carrot and stick approach, said political analyst Prospero de Vera, adding the old approach "might still work, but not for long".

Meanwhile, seven army soldiers were killed in an ambush on Friday by suspected NPA members in the Mountain Province in northern Philippines.