Philippine president calls for vigilance

SUBIC BAY, Philippines, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Philippines' president Thursday called on citizens of the country to resist insurgent groups and remain vigilant of what she called nonsense ideology.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during a speech at the Local Peace and Security Assembly at Subic Bay, said her government will continue efforts to eradicate a communist insurgency in the country. Arroyo called on citizens to resist insurgent Maoist rebel groups, who she said are holding back progress in the country, the Philippine government reported.

Government efforts in the Philippines to confiscate weapons have shown signs of success, and officials say the size of the communist insurgency has been drastically reduced. Arroyo said focusing on economic struggles and reducing poverty are central to countering rebel groups.

"Here in our administration, a strong and growing economy has been the central pillar we have labored to create precisely to help ensure peace, order and stability in our country," the president said in a statement.