June 29, 2007 (LPAC)--Admiral Timothy Keating, head of the US Pacific Command, has offered the Philippines U.S. military help in fighting the New People's Army throughout the nation. Visiting in Manila, Adm. Keating was asked by the Philippines Inquirer on June 28 if the U.S. is considering going beyond their current aid in fighting the terrorist Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao, to fight the NPA. Adm. Keating responded: "We're just right now focused on the Abu Sayyaf Group but if the government of the Philippines tells us that they need help on the New People's Army, we would consider and respond. So, yes."

U.S. military operations in Mindanao against Abu Sayyaf are already pushing the envelope regarding Philippine Constitutional restrictions on foreign soldiers fighting on Philippine soil. To join the fight against the nationwide, 38 year-old insurgency of the communist NPA would be over the top. The NPA was engaged in peace talks with Manila until Bush placed the NPA on the U.S. "terrorist list" in 2002, despite strong objections from the Philippines government. The Arroyo government is now pushing a "final solution" to the NPA, which is serving as a cover for the political death squads targeting leftist politicians and journalists.