TO this day, terrorism poses a serious threat anywhere in the world. Clashes among cultures continue to have a damaging impact on world peace and security. Grim news of insurgency and terror attacks are thrust onto international headlines every day. Because of cross-cultural ignorance, the essence of civilization is compromised.
Even with an intensive and multilateral approach by international governments to combat terrorism, the world remains on its toes. The international community has valiantly dealt with these threats through various military campaigns. But even with successes in containing one group, another one still manages to pop up.
During a gathering in an undisclosed area in Central Mindanao on Tuesday, Jan. 19, over 300 armed Christian civilians gathered to stand up against attacks by a radical Moro group. The group called themselves “Red God’s soldiers,” as they burned a replica of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag and vowed to defend their lands and families.
In its country report on terrorism, the United States government claim that terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Jemaah Islamiya (JI), and the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA), were unable to conduct major attacks compared to previous years due to continuous pressure from Philippine counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts.
“Terrorist groups’ acts included criminal activities designed to generate revenue for self-sustainment, such as kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and bombings for hire,” the report said.
Counterterrorism cooperation between the Philippines and the United States has continued to improve.
“The Government of the Philippines made progress in implementing its 2011–2016 Internal Peace and Security Plan that calls for the transition of internal security functions from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Philippine National Police (PNP). The increasing role and capability of the police in maintaining internal security in conflict-affected areas will permit the AFP to shift its focus to enhance the country’s maritime security and territorial defense capabilities. To date, however, this transition continued to be slow and ineffective. Continued violent extremist activity, as well as counterterrorism capability gaps between the AFP and PNP, slowed this transition and forced the AFP to continue playing the lead counterterrorism role in the Philippines,” the report added.
Furthermore, the AFP downplayed alleged reports that several terrorist groups in the country are establishing a local base for ISIS.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri said that military operations are underway to neutralize terror leaders and members who are responsible for the insurgence. “Our armed forces are trying their best. Every time we have the information, we validate it and we take action just to make sure we will prevent whatever terror acts they are planning to do,” Iriberri said.
Pres. Benigno Aquino III also belittles the same reports and suspects that those in the country who claim allegiance to ISIS are not in direct contact with the terror group and are just riding on the prominence of its threat.
“The same groups that were claiming linkage to Al-Qaeda according to our intelligence reports are the same people who are claiming that they have pledged allegiance to the caliph of the ISIS. And we presumed not to belittle them but if there is a new group that is ascendant, they will be probably the next franchisee in our country,” Aquino assured. He added that the problem of extremism in Mindanao was not triggered by ideologies or conflicts religious beliefs, but more by the lack of economic opportunities in Mindanao.
As an offshoot to the latest news of terror-related violence, people are alerted to promote individual responsibility and are encouraged to commit to effective long-term solutions. Confronting this challenge is beyond the power of governments alone. Today’s terrorism will only be defeated with the engagement of the public and on the basis of common values.
