MANILA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Army is set to activate this year another riverine company, aiming to strengthen its water-borne operations in Mindanao, where they are battling alQaida-linked extremist groups, an Army spokesman said on Friday.

    The 12th Special Forces Company (Riverine) will be reactivated later this year, after they finish retraining, Army spokesman Ernesto Torres said during the 11th anniversary of the Army's Special Operations Command.

    "The initial plan is to deploy two companies to Mindanao," Torres told reporters, without giving specific details.

    "The Army saw the need for a unit that can pursue the enemy on water. Our terrain is filled coastlines," Torres said.

    At present, the Army has two riverine companies, both having been organized last year. Each company is composed of around 120 soldiers.