AFP disagrees with US gov't: Sulu archipelago not 'terrorist safe haven'

From GMA News (Jun 3): AFP disagrees with US gov't: Sulu archipelago not 'terrorist safe haven'

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday disputed a report by the US government that identified the Southern Philippines and the Sulu archipelago in particular as terrorist safe havens.

“We respect their assessment, but we disagree that it’s a safe haven. We don’t agree because when you say safe haven, [terrorists] can safely move around,” said AFP public affairs office chief Maj. Ramon Zagala at a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

In “Terrorist Safe Havens,” Chapter 5 of its Country Reports on Terrorism 2012, the US State Department named the Southern Philippines and the “Sulu/Sulawesi Seas Littoral” as terrorist safe havens in Southeast Asia.

A "range of licit and illicit activities" occuring in the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas' littoral areas, said the report, "pose additional challenges to identifying and countering the terrorist threat."

"Surveillance improved but remained partial at best, and traditional smuggling and piracy groups have provided an effective cover for terrorist activities, including movement of personnel, equipment, and funds," it added.

The report noted that Abu Sayyaf, "numbering a few hundred," maintained a presence in Mindanao, particularly the Sulu archipelago, and that the few remaining members of the Jemaah Islamiya in the country were in "a few isolated pockets" of Mindanao. The New People's Army, on the other hand, "maintained a national presence with a focus in rural and mountainous areas."

However, the report also noted that "continued pressure" from Philippine security forces has made it more difficult for these groups to operate, recruit and raise funds. It also noted that the Philippines along with Indonesia and Malaysia have been improving efforts to control their maritime boundaries.

Zagala said that insurgents in the area now have a “limited mobility” owing to the military's efforts.

“Through our counter-terrorism operations, terrorists in the Sulu archipelago have limited mobility in the area. The AFP has presence there and we continue to operate,” he said.

“They cannot move freely because of our operations. Our campaign against them are continuing,” he said of the terrorists. “Its not a safe haven for them...They cannot plan and execute terrorist activities easily.”

The country report was submitted to the US Congress and released on May 30.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/311233/news/regions/afp-disagrees-with-us-gov-t-sulu-archipelago-not-terrorist-safe-haven