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Friday, November 18, 2005
President pushes anew okay of budget, anti-terror bill
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Thursday again urged Congress to immediately pass the proposed P1.05 trillion budget for 2006 and the anti-terrorism bill to strengthen the campaign against terrorist groups and ensure the continued safety of both Filipinos and foreigners in the country.
Arroyo, in her pre-departure speech for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in South Korea, said the two bills are important in pushing the country forward.
The President said the budget is important in financing and ensuring the provision of education, health care, micro-finance "and many other essential needs of our people".
She questioned reports that some extremist groups are against the Philippines' working with and participation in international forums like the Apec.
She said such international events are important and even advantageous to the Philippines.
Armed Forces Chief Generoso Senga said the delay in the passage of the anti-terrorism bill would not hamper the government troops' operation and campaign against terrorist groups.
He said while they acknowledge the urgency of passing the bill, they would use existing laws to aid their campaign.
"It's really unfortunate that up to this point we really don't have an anti-terror law like the rest of our neighbors especially here in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region but be that as it may, we have to work under these constraints and continue our counter-terrorist and anti-terrorist operations within the laws that are existing within the land but we really hope we can have an anti-terror law as soon as possible," he said.
Senga said at present the Armed Forces is coordinating with the police in following up leads, monitoring activities and verifying intelligence reports that some suspected members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and its local terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf, have been conducting trainings in some parts of Mindanao.
"We have not been sleeping on this particular mission because we know that we have to keep track of these people so we can continuously provide protection to our communities and our people," he said.
Deputy Police Director Oscar Calderon reiterated the need for cooperation from the civilian community in strengthening the campaign. (JMR/Sunnex)
(November 18, 2005 issue)
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