Philippines to pursue security objectives

MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A government official in the Philippines says the county's security objectives include ending the communist rebellion and resuming peace talks in the south.

Avelino Razon, Philippines National Security Council deputy director-general, said following a recent high-level security meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that at the top of the country's security agenda would be ending the more than 40 years of violence from the insurgent communist rebellion, the Philippines government reported.

Razon also said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is planning to push for renewing the currently stalled peace talks with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the southern Mindanao region.

Officials say the Security Council made recommendations to achieve the announced security objectives including adding six new council members from various governmental departments.