Gov't vows to dismantle checkpoints set up by leftist rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government vowed today to find and dismantle checkpoints set up by leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) in various parts of the country.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government would not tolerate the checkpoints set up by NPAs.

"We would like to ask local politicians to help the national government locate NPA checkpoints. We will ask the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure that there are no NPA checkpoints (as) this is not tolerated under our system of government," said Lacierda.

He issued the statement after Ruthie Guingona, mayor of Gingoog city in Mindanao's Misamis Oriental province, and wife of former Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona were wounded following a shootout between her bodyguards and leftist rebels on April 20.

The rebels reportedly fired on Guingona's convoy late Saturday night when it did not stop at an NPA checkpoint in Binakakalan Village, Gingoog City.

Two of the mayor's supporters were killed while a police escort was slightly wounded.

Alan Juanito, spokesman of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Operations Command, apologized to the Guingonas and the families of the victims.