Palace: Government Successful in Combating Terrorism in the Country

Malacañang made an assurance on Saturday that it continues to work with other stakeholders to fight terrorism and maintain peace in Mindanao.

A group of anti-terrorism experts made a recommendation to the government to strengthen its tie up with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to maintain peace in the region.

“Parang medyo malayo ‘yung coordination doon sa aksyon. But we can assure you that we continue to engage with the stakeholders,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday.

For instance, on the recruitment ng ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in Mindanao, Valte said the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to engage with local leaders and other stakeholders to fend off any recruitment moves by the ISIS in the south.

The terrorism experts also compared the Philippines to actions being done by other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which they said have proactive moves in their fight against global terrorists.

Valte said however, that even the Philippines has a different approach, the fact that the country is not a haven for terrorists is already a major feat.

“So far, we have been largely successful in our efforts to make the Philippines not a haven for terrorism also goes to show ‘yung efforts naman natin,” she said.

The country’s anti-terror approach is successful, she said noting that the country had not experienced any major incident in the past few years.

But the Palace official also acknowledged that fighting terrorism is a continuing effort and this does not mean that while there is relative calm the government will let its guard down.

In connection with the Senate’s plan to investigate the alleged payment of ransom for the release of two German hostages, Valte said the executive branch is ready to cooperate with lawmakers.

Valte also made it clear however, that as far as the government’s policy is concerned, the government has not paid any ransom to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the said hostages. PND (as)

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