Intel, special units can counter NPA hit squads

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): Intel, special units can counter NPA hit squads

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said military intelligence efforts and special units can do much in countering the threats posed by the New People's Army (NPA)'s hit squads.

He made this statement in connection with announcements that rebel hit squads have so far killed people, including police and military personnel, for the past three years.

"There are more than 136 persons that have been killed and assassinated by the (Communist Party of the Philippines) CPP-NPA terrorist group so there is really a need to counter this and to counter, (there is a need) to make our personnel vigilant and we need to counter this with the organization of a counter-SPARU (Special Partisan Unit) with the (assistance of our) intelligence and our special units," Galvez said Monday.

The AFP chief also said these hit squads are very active in Bicol, Eastern Mindanao, Western Mindanao and some parts of Samar and Negros.

He, however, believes that civilians should not be involved as there are more than enough military and police personnel for the task.

"I believe let's not involve the civilians, it’s more on the military and the police," Galvez said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier mulled the idea of creating such units to specifically go after NPA hit squads targeting security personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055640