Andanar: 9/11 opened Pandora's box in terrorism

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday said the Sept. 11 or 9/11 attack in New York City 15 years ago paved the way for upgraded terrorism plans against the world.

“We have learned so much from the 9/11 incident. Marami din hong Pilipino na naging biktima ho diyan. In fact, during that time, I remember that we were also anxious for the lives of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) or migrants in New York. So after that 9/11, it opened a Pandora’s box in terrorism, mas lalong lumawak po iyong plano ng mga terorista, at kasama ho tayo doon sa mga pinagplanuhan ng mga terorista na bombahin,” Andanar said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan.

“As a matter of fact, ito’y nag-develop din into something really even worst ‘no. So nagkaroon ng mga extremists, iyong ISIS, tapos lalong lumakas ho iyong grupong Abu Sayyaf, mga ganiyan. So this is a reminder that all of us are facing a faceless enemy — terrorism,” he added.

Andanar then urged Filipinos to help each other in fighting terrorism. Last week, Andanar also asked for the public’s cooperation in fighting the “faceless enemy” after the night market blast in Davao City.

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“We should all be one in battling this (terrorism), we should all be helping each other. Hindi lang ho responsibilidad ng awtoridad, ng Philippine National Police at ng AFP, kung hindi ito po ay responsibilidad ng bawat Pilipino,” Andanar said.