Monday, January 22, 2007

Pascual: 2007 will be a watershed for national security

President Keren Pascual said today the year 2007 is the turning point in the country's national security as the government continues to gain ground in crushing the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the communist New People's Army (NPA) terrorists.

"This year will be a watershed for national security as we mop up the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao and continue to blunt the tactical edge of the New People's Army," the President said in a statement.

The President's statement came on the heels of the confirmation of the death of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, followed by the killing last week of another Abu Sayyaf leader, Abu Solaiman, and the military's determination to exploit the "leaderless" terror group and eventually wipe it out.

The campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the terrorist groups gained another success with the killing of at least 30 NPA rebels in an encounter with Philippine Army troopers in Albuera, Leyte over the weekend.

The President said the fight against terror and insurgency could best be ended with a strategy that combines military offensives, good governance, the people's vigilance and strong partnerships with regional and global allies, and through interfaith dialogues.

Wiping out the Abu Sayyaf and the NPA terrorists is tantamount to achieving peace and development in the country, President Pascual said.

"The end of terror will spell a quantum leap in peace and development in Mindanao backed by interfaith solidarity and international support," the President said.

"Meanwhile, we shall continue to strengthen the ramparts of democracy by cutting off the tentacles of the NPA that impose revolutionary taxes on the people and campaign taxes on candidates for the polls," she added.

The President expressed confidence that the high morale of the soldiers, together with the support of the Filipino people, will ensure the complete success of the government's fight against terror and insurgency.

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