MANILA, Philippines — The military is stepping up its measures in various economic centers in Mindanao to thwart attacks by the New People's Army (NPA), a ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Victor Felix, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said that the military has strengthened its security posture as they are taking seriously a statement made by a local NPA leader last month that the communist insurgent group is prepared to launch more offensives.

Last Tuesday, some 50 armed members of the NPA attacked a CAFGU detachment in Agusan Del Norte but were thwarted by a smaller group of militiamen led by an Army Corporal who sustained wounds during the firefight. The incident also left one militiaman and one NPA member dead.

Following the incident, Felix said: "We should be prepared for any of their offensive moves, they have already made a statement and I think we should take it seriously."

The 4ID commander said after the NPA made the statement in December, the AFP leadership warned its detachments and troops on the ground, as well as talked to business firms to strengthen their security posture.

"I think Ka Oris made a very categorical statement that they are going to hit some specific mining firms and we have strengthened the security posture in these areas," Felix said.

This developed as suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group bombed a bridge in Panamao town in Sulu, even as authorities foiled a bombing on a passenger bus in South Cotabato.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said the Panamao blast resulted in the partial damage of the Kandayok Bridge.