NSA cites terrorism, insurgency as ‘barriers’ to economic growth

From The Daily Tribune (Mar 19): NSA cites terrorism, insurgency as ‘barriers’ to economic growth

Security problems, such as terrorism and insurgency, remain as major “roadblock” to the economic development being pursued by the Duterte administration.

Thus, said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who stressed that while President Duterte’s administration is exerting so much effort for inclusive economic growth in the country, the armed insurgency and terrorism remained as serious concern to achieve the goal.

“The interconnected problem of insurgency and terrorism prove to be a difficult roadblock in this endeavor,” Esperon said.

According to Esperon, the administration’s “National Security Policy 2017-2022” follows the dynamic security-development nexus, which reinforces the idea that economic development and security are linked together.

“This means that economic development is a precondition for national, internal and external security and vice versa,” he said.

“Economic development and security are inextricably linked and are mutually reinforcing concept. Therefore, armed conflict is undoubtedly a development issue,” Esperon added.

Currently, Esperon admitted that armed-conflict continued to be a serious problem in the Philippines and has direct affect to the ordinary Filipino.

“Armed conflict remains a deep-seated problem in the country and poses a detrimental effect on the socio-economic realities confronting the Filipino people,” Esperon said.

Esperon said that the problems of terrorism and insurgency posed by lawless Moro groups in Mindanao and the New People’s Army (NPA) were undermining the efforts of the Duterte administration to build a strong economy that is capable of sustaining national endeavors.

He said that business in Mindanao is affected by the NPA’s forced collection of so-called revolutionary taxes.

“Our intelligence sources show that the NPA is earning up to P1 billion from money extorted through revolutionary taxes from agricultural and mining companies in Eastern Mindanao alone,” Esperon said.

On the other hand, extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Ansar-Khilafah Philippines, Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters remain as potent threats to launch terrorism.

It will be recalled that last year, Islamic State-inspired groups of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon and and Maute Group launched the five-month Marawi City siege in an attempt to establish an IS caliphate in Mindanao.

“As a result, social, political and economic institutions can be destabilized,” Esperon said.

Esperon said that as shown by the Marawi City siege, the threat of violent extremism and radicalization affects political and economic stability, as such the government must work to ensure that jihadism will not establish a foothold in the country.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/nsa-cites-terrorism-insurgency-as-barriers-to-economic-growth