The head of the Philippine National Police said Monday that he has ordered the deployment of 300 Special Action Force commandos to Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental provinces, following a string of killings blamed on rebels.

The elite troopers will help local officers in operations against "criminal elements and dissident terrorists", said PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

Sixteen people were gunned down by armed men in Negros Oriental last week. Among the victims were a lawyer, school principal, education official and barangay chairman.

Earlier this month, members of the New People's Army also allegedly tortured to death 4 policemen in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

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The killings may be part of NPA's "propaganda" to "sacrifice their own" and pin the crime on state troops, said Albayalde.

Police have raised full alert over the province.