For decades, the Philippine army has been battling a scattered rebellion by communist fighters wanting to set up a Maoist state.

Now, the military is trying a potentially controversial strategy, training the former rebels to become members of a government-sanctioned armed group.

The army calls them "force multipliers" – and has used these so-called non-soldiers for years to help protect people in areas where the rebels operate.

Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas reports from Bukidnon, southern Philippines.