NATIONAL security is of paramount importance to any country and to everyone.
One terrorist act/attack, no matter how small or localized, is enough to incite fear into the hearts and minds of an entire nation.
Over the weekend, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel alert, following a recent al-Qaida threat.
“Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August,” the statement said.
The travel warning prompted at least 22 embassies and consulates across Muslim countries to temporarily shut down its operations.
While the US government ensured that appropriate actions are taken, the State Department strongly warned that there could also be other targets.
“Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests. Citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.”
Until the travel warning expires on August 31, the State Department will work closely with other nations on the threat from international terrorism. It said that information will be routinely shared between the US and its key partners “in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.”
For its part, the Philippine government said it is already gathering efforts to address the reported issues which prompted the travel alert. It remains in constant communication with the National Security Adviser.
“We are already intensifying intelligence gathering and we continue the hardening of targets which are the focus of these alerts such as the US embassy,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told reported on Monday.
In a Philstar.com report, Armed for Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said “he did not divulge the basis of the US terror warning.” He otherwise identified the Abu Sayyaf group, which is linked with al-Qaida through the regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), as the only immediate security threat.
Tutaan assured that the threats posed by the local rebel group has been contained. “Our operations are continuous. Efforts to destroy the Abu Sayyaf organization are ongoing. We have a lot of arrests conducted in the past, even in the recent past,” Tutaan said.
Regardless of what caused this month-long worldwide travel warning, every citizen is advised to take extra precautions.
The security alert is not meant to inject paranoia among the populace but to ignite vigilance — because that’s the least we can do.
Confronting this looming threat goes beyond the power of governments.
The war against terrorism requires a resolute individual to take a stand and confront it. This also means understanding terrorism: why it exists and why it has had adverse consequences on humanity.
(AJPress)
