Palace: ‘We are not taking terrorism lightly’

MANILA, Philippines – The government is not taking the threat of terrorism “lightly,” Malacañang said Thursday, after the Philippines ranked 10th among countries most affected by terrorism by the Global Terrorism Index 2018.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo cited the measures undertaken by the administration to fight terrorism, saying “peace and order remains a primordial concern” of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Panelo said this was “the reason why” Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao and asked for its extension “to neutralize continued threats of terrorism in the region.”

The Palace official said “terrorism knows no time, geography or circumstances.”

“No matter how prepared a country or its government is,” he said, “damage will inevitably be incurred if terrorism befalls in a locality within its jurisdiction.”

“Amid laudable efforts of our law enforcers on the ground to thwart rebellion,” he also said, terrorism “remains and various groups continue to sow terror and chaos in Mindanao, with remnants of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Daulah Islamiyah, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members still struggling to pursue their goal of establishing an Islamic state and ousting the Philippine Government.”

He said “persistent and continuing threat to public safety has compelled the President to push for the extension of martial law in the region.”

“As one would expect, we are not taking terrorism lightly,” he said. “Our goal is to totally eradicate rebellion by crushing it as well as by providing better services and opportunities for all to achieve a state where there would no longer be a need for any uprising or armed struggle.”

Panelo cited Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, “directing the creation of a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, as well as the adoption of a national peace framework that will contain policies addressing the root causes of insurgencies.”

“All of these form part of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive approach in achieving inclusive and sustainable peace throughout the Philippines,” he noted.

“Amid baseless denunciations by critics,” Panelo said, “we can assure our people that the President remains focused and steadfast in fulfilling his constitutional mandate to serve and protect the Filipino people.” /kga