Army intensifies anti-terror drive

The Army has intensified its fight against terrorism by using a multi-pronged approach, the Army chief said yesterday.

In his speech at the 105th anniversary of the Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos said the Army not only intensified its combat operations against terrorists and insurgents, but also linked up with regional counterparts and increased its participation in anti-poverty programs.

"On the regional level, we initiated and put into motion an accord signed last November by the chief of armies of the Asean on the mutual agreement to fight terrorism, and concrete steps are now under way to prepare the region and each individual member-nation," De los Santos said.

"We have reached out to the grassroots building basic infrastructure that opens up new opportunities for growth and development and boosts people’s hope for progress to spread its fruits throughout the country," he said.

He said the regional agreement calls for intelligence sharing, training programs, exchange of skills and expertise, and closer coordination in member-countries’ fight against terrorism.

Terrorism, he said, is a scourge that knows no borders.

At the operational level, the anti-terrorism Balikatan 02-1 is yielding positive results that would soon wipe out the extremist Abu Sayyaf, he added.

De los Santos said terrorism cannot be stamped out as long as poverty is prevalent, and to address this the Army has taken up non-traditional and civic activities in far-flung and rebel-infested areas in the country where non-military government and private workers rarely go.

"The Army engineering brigades continue rehabilitation and construction work, literally building bridges to progress ... the medical teams, the disaster and rescue units and the partnerships developed ... are now part of the Army’s basic operational tactics as we wage war against poverty," De los Santos said.

He said because of the Army’s anti-poverty activities, the youth in far-flung areas get basic education from Army teachers and local businessmen are able to bring their goods to neighboring towns.

"We have stood our ground against the resurgent communist threat, even managing to dissipate their attempts at winning the hearts and minds of our people," De los Santos said.

While the Army is on constant alert for lawless armed groups, it is always fully supportive of peace efforts with the rebels, he noted.