Albayalde gets invited by FBI for counter-terrorism talks

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 12, 2019): Albayalde gets invited by FBI for counter-terrorism talks

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday went to the United States (US) to attend meetings and seminars on counter-terrorism efforts upon the invitation of the powerful Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).



PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)

“The CPNP (Chief, PNP) is out of the country for a 10-day official mission to attend working meetings, discussion and seminar on counter-terrorism upon the invitation of the FBI and counterparts in the US,” Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said in an advisory.

According to Banac, the series of talks and meetings will run from March 12 to 22.

It is no secret that the Philippines and the United States have years-long history of cooperation in terms of strategic security engagement and police inter-operability operations.

Terrorism, Albayalde said in previous interviews, has become a global threat and the cooperation between countries is a must to defeat it.

In the Philippines, terrorist and militant groups such as Abu Sayyaf, Maute and other Islamic State (IS)-inspired groups based in the southern part of the Philippines have been a long-time cause of problems for the national government.

“The threat on terrorism and extremism is global. It is inevitable that’s why there is a need to unite and cooperate to end threats in Mindanao,” Albayalde said during a press briefing in October 2018 after the first year anniversary of the liberation of Marawi City from the hands of the terrorists.

Banac said Albayalde’s official mission abroad will further enhance the understanding between the Philippines and the US’ police forces, thus, will be beneficial for both countries.

Joining Albayalde for the said mission is Police Deputy Director General (PDDG) Fernando Mendez Jr., the deputy chief for administration (TDCA).

In his absence, Albayalde has designated PDDG Archie Francisco Gamboa, the deputy chief for operations (TCO), as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the PNP.

The FBI is the domestic intelligence, security service and principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States of America.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/12/albayalde-gets-invited-by-fbi-for-counter-terrorism-talks/