MANILA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine military has sent additional troops to Compostela Valley in the southern region of Mindanao and the central Bicol region in Luzon, which are haunted by left-wing rebels of New People's Army (NPA), said a report by local TV network GMA News on Sunday.

    According to TV network, the military said the NPA have recently increased attacks in order to "project strength despite dwindling numbers" and accused the latter of carrying out acts of extortion, bombings of telecommunication towers and harassments of government troops.

    The NPA is a 5,700-strong rebel force fighting with the government forces since 1969 mainly in the countryside. Peace talks between the government and NPA broke down in 2004.