After a short respite for peace talks, in April government forces were ordered to resume full hostilities against the communist rebels. Meanwhile, rebel attacks increased, especially on the National Police. Although there were few reported direct clashes between communist rebels and government forces, both sides continued to perpetrate political and extrajudicial killings. Fighting between communist rebels and government forces declined, but human rights abuses, including killings, continued, mostly by military and paramilitary groups. The two forces share responsibility for fighting a declining Communist insurgency and radical Muslim separatists.
Nobody knows yet, but the signs are menacing.
The Philippine police and military put the communist NPA's strength at 6,790 as of June this year, down from a peak of 25,800 in 1987, but up from a low of 6,000 in 1995. The attack late Thursday morning followed a string of attacks the previous night. 1999 Clashes between government forces and communist rebels increased following the suspension of peace talks in May 1999. A Communist leader Jose Ma. Sison declared yesterday that the government 'asked' for the spate of New People's Army attacks when President Estrada terminated peace talks with the National Democratic Front last month.