A method and apparatus are provided for reducing emissions of particulates from diesel engines. Exhaust is passed through a diesel particular filter having at least two stages comprised of (a) a catalyst section having a platinum group metal catalyst on contact surfaces within the catalyst section and (b) a filter section comprised of passages effective to remove particulates from a moving stream of combustion gases generated by combusting the fuel in the engine and holding them therein to permit their oxidation. Carbon removal is enhanced by utilizing levels of platinum group metal composition, cerium compositions, fuels and/or optional chemical enhancers to generate NO2 in the catalyst section in amounts sufficient to form cerium nitrates in the filter section. The cerium oxide is associated with and maintains dispersion of the platinum in the filter section, and the cerium nitrates are available at the surface and within the soot particles to provide enhanced soot oxidation at a lower balance point.