Two Malaysian warplanes intercepted two Philippine recon aircraft over the disputed Spratly islands. Both sides turned away before anything occurred. It was later discovered that the Malaysian aircraft were unarmed and returning to base after a training flight.
October 25; NPA guerillas attacked a paper mill in the south, killing a security guard and wounding three people. The attackers were repelled. Moslem rebels have called for a vote on independence as took place in East Timor.
October 24; The US and Philippines are renewing and strengthening defense ties, and have announced vague plans for some kind of joint military exercise next year. The Philippines has a long shopping list, and almost no money, and hopes to convince the US to donate replacements for 60 worn-out UH-1H helicopters and several old C-130 transports. They also want jet fighters and "serious warships". Ultimately, the Philippines wants at least some of the Spratly Islands under its defense accord with the US, but Washington has continued to refuse to include any of the disputed islands until the dispute is resolved among the parties involved.--Stephen V Cole
October 22; It is estimated that communist guerillas collect $6-7.5 million a year in extortion ("revolutionary taxes) from businesses and individuals.
October 13; MILF guerillas trying to collect "revolutionary taxes" in the south were repulsed, with two guerillas and one civilians dead.
October 10; While the government is trying to negotiate peace agreements with the main guerilla forces, the guerillas are growing stronger. The NPA is up to some 9,400 fighters (about six percent more than last year) and the MILF is up 14 percent, to 15,400 troops.
October 8; A bus bomb in the south killed one and injured thirteen. Most of these bombing are part of guerilla attempt to extort large amounts of money from the bus companies.
October 6; The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) agreed to begin peace talks with the government on October 25th. The government has agreed to ease up on their military operations in MILF areas.
October 4; The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) has refused to begin, as earlier agreed, peace talks on October. The Moslem separatists have taken a beating lately as government troops moved in on the areas the MILF has long operated in. The MILF wants the attacks to cease.
October 2; After five days of fighting Moslem separatist guerillas in the south, nearly 70 government troops were wounded, and some 67 guerillas were killed. Over 4,000 local civilians have fled the fighting.
October 1; After four days of fighting Moslem separatist guerillas in the south, at least ten guerillas were killed. At least six soldiers have been wounded. Over 2,000 local civilians have fled the fighting.