Palace welcomes US intel support vs terrorism

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Monday welcomed the United States (US) government’s commitment of over P300 million intel support to the Philippines.

“We welcome the United States’ commitment in fighting terrorism. This shows that our military alliance with the United States remains strong,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The US assistance came after the recent bombings in Mindanao, a region marred with years of unrest and terrorism.

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“Terrorism knows no boundaries, politics, religion, and creed. It is the new evil in the world that strikes at every country and every continent,” Panelo said.

“We need all the help as every member-country in the United Nations needs the assistance and cooperation of each other to combat and crush terrorism,” he added.

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The Palace official assured that even as the bombings in Mindanao have “created fear and anxiety,” the country’s state forces are “relentlessly pursuing the mass murderers even as some of them have been criminally charged and presently detained.”

“We assure the nation that security for our people have been enhanced,” Panelo said.

“We call our people to be vigilant and report to the authorities any suspicious act by any person or group of persons in their communities that may tend to endanger their lives, limbs and properties,” he added. /je