BY VICTOR REYES

THE biggest challenge facing the military this year is "sustaining the momentum" in the counter-insurgency campaign, and AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, in an apparent pitch for extension, said he is willing to have his term extended so he could continue leading the fight against insurgents.

Esperon is reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9. There are talks that President Arroyo might extend his tour of duty.

"If I will be given another chance, in the form of extension, then I will be honored to become again a part of the time in these times that we need a call to urgency, especially so that we have achieved a momentum against the communist party and the New People’s Army," Esperon said over the weekend.

"I’d just be honored to lead the team again but I must repeat, that (extension) is the call of the President, knowing fully well that in the Armed Forces, we have very competent and capable officers that can succeed me anytime," he said.

All the three-star generals are qualified to succeed Esperon but talks are that Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is the frontrunner.

Of the eight AFP chiefs appointed by the President, four – including Esperon – were Army chiefs before they were named AFP chiefs.

Esperon said this year is a "big challenge" insofar as the counter-insurgency campaign is concerned and the military has to sustain gains against the communist group by pursuing "Oplan Bantay Laya II," a military battle plan against the insurgents and other threat groups.

"I think at no other time have we had this kind of momentum," he said. "We dismantled 13 guerrilla fronts (last year) and we saw the degradation of several other fronts. So the challenge now here is to make this come true," he said.

The military said it neutralized 1,344 rebels last year – a figure above the 1,000 average in the past years – and dismantled 13 guerrilla fronts.

The NPA’s strength is down to 6,061 men and 87 guerrilla fronts, according to the military.

President Arroyo directed the military establishment over a year ago to end the insurgency problem before her term ends in 2010. Peace talks with the communists bogged down in 2004 after the US included the CPP and the NPA in its list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Asked if the current situation with regard to threats of destabilization warrants an extension of his tour of duty, Esperon said: "Medyo nakaahon na tayo dun sa adventurism if I am to take off from the November 29 (standoff)."

Esperon noted there were no new faces at the adventurism at the Manila Peninsula hotel. Also, he said the incident proved that the military adventurists would not get the needed civilian support.

Esperon said the Board of Generals which he chairs will not be discussing who would be endorsed as the next AFP chief. He said the board discusses only the promotions and appointments of officers who are below the AFP chief.