News Update More Troops deployed to Bicol Region

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government has deployed hundreds of forces to hunt down leftists rebels in a province in Northern Philippines, a military official said Friday. Nearly 400 soldiers who just completed counter insurgency training were dispatched in the leftist infested province of Bicol to combat and neutralize New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels, regional military spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said in statement. Cabunoc troops would also help secure the upcoming October 25 village polls. The Philippine government has been waging war against the leftist rebels for the last four decades. Military estimates that the NPA strength was at more than 5,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.