MANILA – Despite making progress against local terrorist groups (LTGs) operating in some parts of the southern Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must remain alert.
Army Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, made this statement when asked if the Taliban forces’ capture of Afghanistan last week will spark radicalism in the country.
“We are confident that our efforts in Mindanao and security and stability operations there are bearing fruit. So, we believe it’s safer, more stable and that our PCVE (preventing and countering violent extremism efforts) are bearing fruit. Again, what we need to do is to be vigilant,” he added during Monday’s virtual briefing.
Zagala further stated that many of the places where local terrorists are known to roam are now calm and secured, and that the AFP has made progress in combating these LTGs.
“Through the years we have already been (gaining) headway in our efforts against local terrorist groups and we are confident that we will be able to finish them (at the) soonest possible time,” he added.
He credited the country’s Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement with Malaysia and Indonesia with greatly assisting in the security of the Philippines’ southern borders.
As the situation progressed, AFP deputy chief-of-staff for operations Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon stated that accepting or giving asylum to Afghans escaping the fighting poses no risk.
“As regards the possible risk in accepting evacuees from Afghanistan, the Afghan people, we don’t see any risk because those trying to seek asylum are those people who are peace-loving who are running away from conflict,” he said.
Given the distance between Afghanistan and the Philippines, which is 5,920 kilometers, de Leon believes the Philippines will be the last destination Afghans will be seeking for asylum.
“So with regard to the possible risk of a spillover of the Taliban conflict to our country it is very remote because we have already reduced substantially the capability of the local terrorists to launch conflict, we have seen our victory, the government victory (in) Marawi and the local terrorists have substantially been reduced,” he said.
