MALACAÑANG on Thursday, December 20, assured that the Duterte administration is committed to eradicate terrorism.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the assurance after the Global Terrorism Index 2018 report released by the Institute for Economic and Peace (IEP) showed that the Philippines ranked 10th among nations most affected by terrorism.
"As one would expect, we are not taking terrorism lightly. Our goal is to totally eradicate rebellion by crushing it as well as by providing better services and opportunities for all to achieve a state where there would no longer be a need for any uprising or armed struggle," Panelo said in a statement.
"Amid baseless denunciations by critics, we can assure our people that the President remains focused and steadfast in fulfilling his constitutional mandate to serve and protect the Filipino people," he added.
The Philippines ranked 10th among 163 countries affected by terrorism, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2018 report of IEP.
The terrorism index, an annual report developed by the IEP, provides a comprehensive summary of global terrorism trends. It uses indicators, which include the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries and property damage.
Panelo said reports like the one issued by the IEP were the reasons "why peace and order remains a primordial concern" of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Terrorism knows no time, geography or circumstances. No matter how prepared a country or its government is, damage will inevitably be incurred if terrorism befalls in a locality within its jurisdiction," he said.
As part of the counter-terrorism measures, Duterte placed Mindanao under martial rule after hostilities broke out in Marawi City on May 23, 2017.
Martial law in Mindanao has been extended thrice and will end on December 31, 2019.
Panelo said Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in a bid to "neutralize continued threats of terrorism in the region."
"This persistent and continuing threat to public safety has compelled the President to push for the extension of martial law in the region," Panelo said.
"Amid laudable efforts of our law enforcers on the ground to thwart rebellion, the latter remains and various groups continue to sow terror and chaos in Mindanao, with remnants of Abu Sayyaf Group, Daulah Islamiyah, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters still struggling to pursue their goal of establishing an Islamic state and ousting the Philippine Government," he added.
Panelo also cited Memorandum Order No. 32, which directed the deployment of more troops to Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region following concerns over "growing number of sporadic acts of violence" in the said areas.
Executive Order (EO) 70 mandates the creation of a national task force that is delegated to end local communist armed conflict. EO 70 also directed the adoption of a national peace framework that will contain policies addressing the root causes of insurgencies.
"All of these form part of the Duterte Administration’s comprehensive approach in achieving inclusive and sustainable peace throughout the Philippines," Duterte's spokesman said. (SunStar Philippines)