France backs Phl’s fight vs terrorism

MANILA, Philippines - France is deeply concerned about the situation in Marawi City and fully supports the Philippines’ battle against terrorism.

“This overall issue of terrorism is a concern for all of us. We had attack in Europe, in France, now it’s in the Philippines so it’s an interest for all of us to fight together,” Ambassador Thierry Mathou said on Thursday.

“We support the government of the Philippine because it’s a major global issue we all face as countries,” he said.

In France, he said the government moved to confront terrorism by declaring a state of emergency. The declaration has given law enforcers greater powers to deal with terrorism.

“We have what we call the state of emergency. It’s different. It’s not the martial law. Let’s say that we give more power to our police to deal with the issue,” Mathou told reporters at the “Ravel Unraveled” concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thursday night.

Asked whether his country’s state of emergency has been effective, Mathou said: “Well so far, yes, actually we have been able to dismantle some networks.

“I mean we have to take all the measures but obviously it’s always difficult,” he said.

He said the new parliament is considering passing a law integrating several anti-terrorism powers under a state of emergency into the common law.

France, he said, is ready to help the Philippines rein in terror through exchange of information and intelligence.

Reports said President Emmanuel Macron’s administration wants to end the 14-month-old state of emergency in France, but at the same time integrate some of its anti-terror provisions into law.

Judges and civil liberty groups have expressed alarm over the development.

Reports said warrantless property searches and house arrests, two controversial measures currently used by French security officials under special state of emergency powers, could become ordinary policing practices under a bill being sponsored by the country’s new government.