PNoy wants to step up counter-terrorism efforts –Palace

From GMA News (Nov 21): PNoy wants to step up counter-terrorism efforts –Palace

President Benigno Aquino III wants security officials to step up counter-terrorism efforts, Malacañang said Friday, after the Philippines ranked higher in the Global Terrorism Index Report.

During a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte said the administration would strive to lessen the number of incidents involving terrorist groups in the country.

"So far, I am quite certain that the President has seen some of the results of the work but, because he is the President, will continue to demand more from our law enforcement agencies when it comes to counter-terrorism," Valte said.

She issued this statement after the Philippines was identified as the ninth country in the world most at risk to terrorism.

The Global Terrorism Index Report also said that terrorist activities in the Philippines — particularly those linked to the New Peoples' Army, the Abu Sayyaf group and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front — doubled last year.

Valte further said that the Philippine government is working with other countries to suppress the threat of other terrorist groups, particularly Islamic State militants.

"We have been coordinating and cooperating with our neighbors just to make sure that the Philippines will remain free from any ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] recruitment," she said.

ISIS recruitment activities have been reported in Mindanao, although the Philippine military has maintained that such activities remain unverified.

Last August, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Abu Sayyaf bandits claimed to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadists.

Aquino earlier ordered a relentless hunt against members of the Abu Sayyaf, which is supposedly getting logistical support from the global militant Islamist group al Qaeda.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/389174/news/nation/pnoy-wants-to-step-up-counter-terrorism-efforts-palace