Philippine military to spend more money for fighting against rebellions

Philippine military to spend more money for fighting against rebellions

The military had said it expects the 37-year-old conflict to be finished in six to 10 years. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told officials that was too long, and ordered an additional 19 million dollars to buy attack helicopters and other equipment for poorly armed government forces, the AP reports.

She said the money was on top 94 million dollars the military receives annually for its modernization program, and it "will give a decisive edge" against the 8,000-strong New People's Army rebels.