Downsizing Halted

December 4, 2005: The Philippines has reversed its plan to deactivate two of its eight infantry divisions. Increased activity by the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels is the cause. It was thought that the NPA, like the Moslem rebels in the south, would work out a peace deal with the government. But the NPA hardliners have instead increased the level of violence. Thus the government needs more troops in the field to deal with the violence. The NPA, is, however, a dying organization, and the army eventually expects to deactivate the two divisions. This would enable it to increase the quality of training and equipment in a smaller army (which currently has about 65,000 troops.)