NextGen Day

CEBU CITY, Philippines – On Wednesday, national security analyst Rommel Banlaoi said the security sector in the Visayan areas must be watchful against terrorist threats from Mindanao while ready for any eventualities in the West Philippine Sea.

Banlaoi said terrorist organizations in Mindanao are still capable of staging terror attacks, citing incidents that occurred even after the Marawi siege, during a “colloquium” as part of the celebration of the 34th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Visayas Command (Viscom) on March 29.

He said that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPAmore )’s then 50-year internal armed fight in Mindanao and the Visayas constitutes a “persistent terrorist danger.”

“In the Philippines, terrorism is not going away.” It isn’t going away because we need to understand terrorism in the Philippines in terms of internal security issues. Domestically, we’ve had a long period of armed conflict linked to a communist rebellion led by the New People’s Army and Moro separatist groups, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group, various factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other pro-ISIS elements now operating in the Philippines,” he said.

Banlaoi attributed the persistence of terrorist groups in the country to history, politics, economy, social, cultural, ideological, religious, and personal factors.

He called it a “coincidence” that when one organization argued for the return of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, a social media account promoting the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of the Philippines sprung up, asking for support and even funds.

Banlaoi warned of a variety of ways to carry out terror attacks, including aerial drones, “lone wolf” suicide bombers, automobile explosives, and even animal bombs.

“In the Philippines, all suicide terrorist acts have so far been family issues, resulting in the emergence of family suicide terrorism, which invariably featured females and their children,” he stated.

Banlaoi, on the other hand, said that while the authorities are preparing for any regional emergencies that may arise as a result of the Philippines’ territorial dispute with neighboring countries, there is still a great need to strengthen the community-based approach to countering current, persistent, and emerging terrorist threats in the country.

He emphasized the importance for Filipinos to have a thorough understanding of the concerns on the western shore, while also emphasizing the distinction between the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.

He stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines must increase patrols in the West Philippine Sea. “We can own and control our water if we can patrol,” he remarked.

Rosalie Arcala Hall, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines-Visayas, advised that the military, government agencies, and the commercial sector work together to improve the public’s perception of the military.

“It’s critical to take advantage of the inter-agency system,” she said.

The colloquium was organized in collaboration with the Transformation Roadmap Multi-Sector Advisory Board to discuss current threats and trends in security and stability, as well as their implications for maintaining a credible and mission-capable joint force in the Visayas, according to Col. Jerry Besana, head of Viscom’s Governance and Strategy Management Office.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

Need to get in touch?

Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---