Defense chief calls for more battalions

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced plans to wait on authorizing a request for additional armed forces battalions.

Macapagal-Arroyo met with top officials from the Philippine Department of National Defense Monday as part of the Philippines Armed Forces Command Conference to discuss militant operatives and other threats to national security. During talks, AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. recommended the addition of six battalions to increase the government's anti-insurgency campaign, the Philippines government news reported.

Esperon also requested assistance in fighting the insurgency in the countryside with the addition of 20 more Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit companies to help the military.

CAFGU are units that incorporate or consolidate army, navy, and air force efforts in a given area while under the unified command structure of Armed Forces headquarters.

Macapagal-Arroyo says the reason for the announced authorization hold is the result of "the government operating on a reenacted budget as the bicameral conference committee of Congress has yet to iron out certain provisions of the 2008 national appropriations measure," the release said.